Borders chief can’t name a way Brexit has helped UK control its borders
Britain’s border chief was unable to respond when asked by MPs how Brexit helps “control our borders”.
New border security commander Martin Hewitt said he did not receive an “immediate” answer to the question.
The pro-Brexit campaign promised that Britain could “take back control” of its borders, but since then the problem of migrants crossing the channel in small boats has increased.
Donald Trump even advised Keir Starmer to “call in the army” as the number of crossings reached a record high last month.
Mr Hewitt, who has been in office for a year, told MPs on the House of Commons home affairs committee that the number of people arriving in dangerous small boats was “frustrating” and “really challenging”.
More than 36,000 people have made the perilous journey so far this year; that number is about a third higher than at the same point in 2024.
Asked if there were any examples where Brexit had helped the UK “control our borders, help you do your job, or help us reduce the problem of undocumented immigration”, both he and National Crime Agency director-general Rob Jones, who gave evidence to the committee, were stunned.
After a long pause, Mr Hewitt told MPs: “Certainly not immediately.”
He went on to tell the committee “I’ll think about it” and said he would write to them with any answers.
Paul Kohler, the Liberal Democrat MP who asked the question, told Mr Hewitt he was “not surprised” by his answer.
But Mr Hewitt told MPs he saw potential in digital ID cards, which the government wants to use to combat illegal work and deter immigrants from coming to the UK.
He said: “There’s no doubt that having the ability to make it significantly more difficult for someone to work illegally is absolutely crucial. But the concept of digital identity, which makes it even more difficult for someone to be in a position to try and work, I think has potential advantage.”
“I think this is going to be really important and I know there is a consultation process to start looking at how this could work and how it could add value to what we do.”
A Liberal Democrat spokesman said: “As the Commander of Border Security has made clear, Brexit’s list of useful achievements is absolutely zero items long. We doubt this will be the last time Farage and Reform will be proven wrong. It’s time the public knew.”
Mr Hewitt was appointed as Britain’s first Border Security Commander last September as part of the reshuffle that took place when the new Labor government came to power.
