Reform UK MP Lee Anderson has scoffed at the head of the UK border agency, who was handed a top honour despite record numbers of illegal migrants crossing the Channel under his watch. On Monday, smiling men could be seen posing for selfies and making thumbs-up signs as they left France in small boats to head for the English coast.
The images appeared as the latest Home Office figures show the number of migrants crossing the English Channel has set a new record for the first half of the year. By the end of June, some 19,982 migrants had arrived in the UK this year after making the dangerous crossing.
Despite the staggering number of illegal immigrants entering the country, Phil Douglas, the Director General of Border Force, was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 2025 Birthday Honours for services to border security and public service. According to The Sun, he is also reported to take home a salary of £135,000 a year plus up to £20,000 in bonuses.
Since Mr Douglas took up his role, more than 135,000 migrants have reportedly made it to the UK by crossing the Channel.
Sharing a post on X that showed Mr Douglas beaming for a photograph alongside a caption discussing his awards and pay packet, Reform UK's Lee Anderson wrote the caption: "No wonder he's smiling."
It's not the first time Mr Douglas has drawn the ire of the MP for Ashfield. Speaking on GB News about the border chief, he said: "Once again, we are rewarding failure at the highest level. This useless man has overseen 130,000 illegal migrants invade our country when he is paid handsomely to protect our borders.
"He should be sacked and made to apologise to the British taxpayer. If he accepts this award, then he has no shame and is gaslighting us all."
The latest figures for migrant crossings in 2025 are 48% higher than the tally for the first six months of 2024, which was 13,489, and 75% higher than the equivalent figure for 2023, which was 11,433.
Data collection on the Channel crossings began in 2018.
A No 10 spokesman said on Tuesday the numbers are "clearly unacceptable", adding: "Let's be clear, the rising numbers in recent years are because these gangs have been allowed to embed industrial-scale smuggling enterprises across Europe."
Some 879 migrants made the journey in 13 boats on Monday, the third highest number of arrivals on a single day so far this year.
On Tuesday, the Conservatives said the number of migrants crossing the Channel has passed 20,000. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: "One year into Labour's Government and the boats haven't stopped - they've multiplied.
"Labour tore up our deterrent and replaced it with fantasy. This is the worst year on record, and it's become a free-for-all.
"We need a removal deterrent so every single illegal immigrant who arrives is removed to a location outside Europe. The crossings will then rapidly stop."
You may also like
'Double your money every 3 years': Actor Ram Kapoor reveals the investment mantra behind his enough wealth for four generations
Mallorca's six new rules for tourists as island 'not welcoming holidaymakers'
Katie Price banned from Princess Andre's 18th birthday because of 'certain people'
'Bike taxi is not only cheap but also safe', woman said in Karnataka High Court during hearing on OLA-Uber-Rapido's petition
Channel 4 star rushed to hospital after being 'left for dead' in horror car crash