Chris Philp Labels Attorney General Lord Hermer's Small Boats Policy Comments a "Disgraceful Slur"

Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp has strongly criticised Attorney General Lord Hermer, labelling his comments on small boat policies a "disgraceful slur." Lord Hermer had suggested that certain right-wing approaches to Channel crossings amounted to letting "people drown in the water," particularly if the UK were to withdraw from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).

Lord Hermer, a human rights barrister and close ally of the Prime Minister, argued that the Labour government's success in reducing dangerous journeys stemmed from international cooperation and agreements. He asserted that such arrangements would collapse if the UK left the ECHR, a move advocated by the Conservatives and Reform UK. "So what Reform and the Tories have to answer is: Well what would you do?" he stated. When pressed on the idea of sending migrants "somewhere else," Lord Hermer responded, "Well I think what they mean by that is let people drown in the water and that is not a British way to deal with it." He clarified that he did not believe Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch sought this outcome, but expressed deep concern over "some of the voices, even to the right of Kemi Badenoch," citing their "disregard for the humanity of people."

In response, Philp declared, "It is a disgraceful slur to suggest that those wanting to end illegal small boat immigration are prepared to see migrants drown." He accused human rights lawyers like Hermer and Sir Keir Starmer of being "part of the problem," claiming they prioritise "often tenuous human rights claims of illegal immigrants" over border protection. Philp further alleged that small boat crossings had increased under Sir Keir's government, asserting that Hermer had the "cheek to suggest this is acceptable." He reiterated the necessity of leaving the ECHR to enable the deportation of "all illegal immigrants within a week of arrival," a measure he believes would halt crossings. "But Hermer and his Labour allies are not willing to do this so the illegal immigrants will continue to flood in under Labour," Philp concluded.

A spokesperson for Lord Hermer countered Philp's remarks, stating, "The Attorney General repeatedly argues that this government has a steely determination to tackle illegal immigration, and this is not in tension with upholding our human rights obligations." The spokesperson added that the Attorney General also made clear his concern about "how some on the hard-right are using dehumanising rhetoric about migrants, and that this is not the British way."

Since 2018, over 200,000 individuals have reached the UK via small boats across the English Channel. 2022 saw the highest number of crossings, followed by 2025, when over 40,000 people arrived. So far this year, arrivals are down 38% compared to the same period in 2025, with approximately 9,000 arrivals since January. The Conservatives and Reform UK maintain that withdrawing from the ECHR would streamline the removal of those arriving illegally. The Labour government, however, has rejected this approach, instead pursuing changes to the convention's practical application. Last year, European nations agreed to negotiate the interpretation of the treaty to facilitate migrant deportations. Reform UK has also pledged to review all asylum claims from the past five years should they come to power.