Migrants aboard UK-bound boat wave the middle finger at onlookers

More than 400 Channel migrants landed in the UK yesterday (Monday) to bring the total number who have crossed so far this year to 13,749, new figures revealed today - as sources ruled out another deportation flight to Rwanda until a new Prime Minister is appointed. 

One migrant even flipped the finger at the photographer documenting the departures from the French coast.

That inflatable boat was overcrowded and it is unclear whether it made it to th English side of the water.

On Wednesday, 166 migrants had to be rescued by the French authorities after their dinghies got into difficulties off the coast in a number of incidents between Calais, Boulogne and Le Touquet.

They were returned to French ports and handed over to border police.

The official total so far this year to have been detained by Border Force after making the treacherous crossing in small boats has now reached 13,103 in nearly 400 boats.

Priti Patel's policy of flying Channel migrants to Rwanda has been proposed as a way to reduce the number of people attempting the crossing.  

The Home Office has insisted it is in the process of planning the next flight to the East African nation but has not provided a possible departure date. 

However, government officials speaking anonymously said there is 'no chance' of any plane leaving before the next PM comes to office in early September. 

Today's figures have yet to be confirmed.

The new departures in calm and sunny weather come despite joint French and British efforts to disrupt people-smuggling gangs.

Attempts by Britain to begin deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing - which is intended to serve as a deterrent - have been held up by court action. 

According to government figures 28,526 people made the journey in 2021 - compared to 8,410 who arrived in 2020.

France claims its security forces prevented 61 percent of attempted crossings this year, up 4.2 percent from the period last year.