Shadow Home Secretary Philp Denounces Lord Hermer's ",Drown in the Water", Small Boats Accusation

Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp has vehemently criticised Attorney General Lord Hermer's remarks, labelling his suggestion that certain right-wing politicians' small boats policies would lead to "people drown[ing] in the water" as a "disgraceful slur."

Lord Hermer, speaking on a podcast, argued that the Labour government's success in reducing dangerous Channel crossings stemmed from international agreements, which he contended would collapse if the UK withdrew from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). This withdrawal is advocated by the Conservatives and Reform UK.

When pressed on the alternative approach, Lord Hermer stated: "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 "dehumanising rhetoric" from figures further to her right.

Philp retorted: "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" for prioritising "tenuous human rights claims of illegal immigrants" over border protection.

Philp asserted that small boat crossings had increased under Sir Keir's government, adding: "Hermer has the cheek to suggest this is acceptable." He advocated for leaving the ECHR to enable the deportation of illegal immigrants within a week, claiming this 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."

A spokesperson for Lord Hermer responded, 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 Attorney also makes 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 boat Channel crossings, with 2022 and 2025 seeing more than 40,000 arrivals each. This year, numbers are down by 38% compared to the same period in 2025, with approximately 9,000 arrivals since January.

The Conservatives and Reform UK maintain that leaving the ECHR would simplify the removal of illegal arrivals. The Labour government, however, seeks to reform the convention's practical application, noting that European countries last year agreed to negotiate treaty interpretation to facilitate migrant deportations. Reform UK has also pledged to review all asylum claims from the past five years if they gain power.

Lord Hermer, a close ally of the prime minister, underscored that "only through international cooperation that we're going to be able to deal effectively with small boats - that requires our [ECHR] membership." He dismissed the notion that ECHR membership is a pull factor, pointing out that migrants transit through and originate from other ECHR signatory states. He cited two recent deals with France, including a "one in one out" arrangement and another bolstering French police intervention to prevent boat departures.