Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Will Basu head taskforce to stop people smugglers using boats?

Basu previously advocated for addressing the small boats issue with a comprehensive strategy similar to that used in counterterrorism

Will Basu head taskforce to stop people smugglers using boats?

THE former counter-terrorism head, Neil Basu (right), is the leading candidate to oversee Labour’s new border security command, aimed at reducing migrant crossings in the Channel.

Basu’s extensive counterterrorism experience, including his leadership during the peak threat from Daesh (Islamic State), with six terror attacks – including the Manchester Arena bombing – makes him a top contender for this role, the Times reported on Tuesday (9).


In Sir Keir Starmer’s upcoming King’s speech, new counterterrorism-style laws will be introduced to impose travel bans on suspected people smugglers, reports said.

The legislation aims to empower the police, Border Force, and intelligence officers within the new Border Security Command to handle people smugglers with the same severity as terrorists.

The proposed border security bill will authorise officers and investigators to apply serious crime prevention orders to suspected people smugglers. They will allow law enforcement to enforce stringent conditions on the suspects’ travel within the UK and abroad, as well as restrict their access to the internet and banking services.

Basu previously advocated for addressing the small boats issue with a comprehensive strategy similar to that used in counterterrorism. He has criticised the Rwanda scheme as an ineffective and costly solution, suggesting instead a new border security command with extensive ministerial oversight, additional investigators, and coordinated efforts from all relevant agencies.

“I led counter-terrorism policing for over six years. It’s a model of close partnership with intelligence agencies, government and multiple partners, all of whom have clear lines of responsibility and accountability for their single mission – to protect lives. It needed to be studied as a model response to this crisis,” he wrote in the Daily Telegraph.

Basu was overlooked by the previous government for leadership roles at both the National Crime Agency (NCA) and the Metropolitan Police.

Another possible candidate is David Neal, a former soldier who served as the chief inspector of borders and immigration.

In one of his first acts as prime minister, Sir Keir declared the plan to send migrants to Rwanda as “dead and buried.” Labour announced that thousands of people previously in limbo could now make asylum claims.

The prime minister’s spokesman on Monday (8) confirmed that migrants arriving by small boats would have the right to claim asylum, stressing the need for efficient processing to avoid costly, long-term housing.

Reports said home secretary Yvette Cooper has already initiated the recruitment process for the new border security commander. She is establishing the new Border Security Command and a returns and enforcement unit with 1,000 additional staff.

More For You

'Dear England' brings Gareth Southgate’s story to life on stage

Gwilym Lee (as Gareth Southgate) and members of the ensemble cast in Dear England at the National Theatre

'Dear England' brings Gareth Southgate’s story to life on stage

THERE was an element of art imitating life – or, more accurately, life imitating art – in the affairs of Gareth Southgate last week.

While the actor Gwilym Lee was at the National Theatre playing Gareth Southgate in a revival of James Graham’s play Dear England, the former England football manager was on the BBC delivering the Richard Dimbleby lecture.

Keep ReadingShow less
Tragic losses: Bollywood icons who died young
Sushant Singh Rajput

Tragic losses: Bollywood icons who died young

THE death anniversaries of late stars Meena Kumari (March 31) and Divya Bharti (April 5) fall in the next couple of weeks.

What both leading ladies had in common was that they died young – Meena Kumari in 1972 and Divya Bharti in 1993 – leaving the Hindi cinema industry in deep shock. There have also been other Bollywood stars who unexpectedly died young across the decades.

Keep ReadingShow less
Michael Theo

The Love on the Spectrum star makes his acting debut in BBC One’s new comedy

Getty Images

BBC star Michael Theo opens up about workplace bullying before ‘Austin’ debut

Michael Theo, star of BBC One’s new comedy Austin, has opened up about the difficult experiences he faced before breaking into acting. The Australian actor, who first gained recognition on Love on the Spectrum, described one of his previous jobs as the most stressful period of his life due to relentless bullying.

Theo recalled working at a kitchen manufacturing company, where he spent long hours sanding doors and handling hazardous chemicals. Instead of support from his colleagues, he was met with cruel insults. “I was called names every day. One person even told me I was a waste of oxygen,” he revealed. The experience took a toll on his mental well-being, but he never gave up on his dream.

Keep ReadingShow less
Salman Khan

Salman Khan’s £32,000 Ram Temple edition watch sparks controversy as a Muslim cleric calls it ‘haram and illegal’

Getty Images

Salman Khan slammed by Muslim cleric for wearing £32,000 Ayodhya Ram temple watch, calls it 'haram'

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has found himself at the centre of a religious controversy after wearing a limited edition watch featuring the Ram Janmabhoomi temple design. The accessory, which was noticed during the promotions of his upcoming film Sikandar, has drawn criticism from Maulana Shahabuddin Razvi, president of the All India Muslim Jamaat.

Maulana Razvi has expressed strong disapproval, stating that as a Muslim, Salman Khan should avoid symbols associated with other religions. He referred to the act as “haram” (forbidden) under Islamic law and urged the actor to be mindful of his influence, especially given his large Muslim fan following.

Keep ReadingShow less
Varalaxmi Sarathkumar

Varalaxmi Sarathkumar breaks down on Dance Jodi Dance Reloaded 3 as she reveals being abused by six people as a child

Instagram/Varalaxmi Sarathkumar

Varalaxmi Sarathkumar reveals she was abused by six people as a child

In a deeply emotional moment on the sets of Zee Tamil’s dance reality show Dance Jodi Dance Reloaded 3, actor Varalaxmi Sarathkumar broke down while recounting her traumatic experience of being sexually abused as a child. The revelation came after contestant Kemy shared her own story of surviving harassment by family members. Moved by Kemy’s words, Varalaxmi revealed that she, too, had suffered similar abuse, with five to six people assaulting her when she was young.

The actor, known for her work in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada films, explained that her parents, veteran actor Sarathkumar and Chaya were working at the time, leaving her in the care of others. “Your story is my story,” she told Kemy, hugging her in solidarity. “I don’t have children, but I always tell parents to teach kids about ‘good touch’ and ‘bad touch.’ It’s so important.”

Keep ReadingShow less