Former Home Secretary Priti Patel has called for immediate government action to prevent a potential influx of migrants into the UK, following a significant surge into the Spanish territory of Ceuta. Spanish authorities confirmed that approximately 49,000 migrants entered Ceuta, an enclave on Morocco's northern coast, during chaotic events on Thursday.
Patel expressed concern that some of these individuals would inevitably attempt to reach the UK. In a letter addressed to the current Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, and the Foreign Secretary, she urged for enhanced security measures at both the English Channel and Gibraltar. She specifically questioned the steps being taken to safeguard Gibraltar, a UK overseas territory, following a recent agreement that lifted land border controls with Spain. This deal allows for easy passage from mainland Spain, which is a short ferry ride from Ceuta, and then onward travel to the UK via flights from Gibraltar.
The mass entry into Ceuta occurred as border controls reportedly collapsed. Thousands of migrants reportedly swam into the territory from Morocco or entered through land crossings. This incident follows a recent ruling by Spain's Supreme Court, which stated that migrants intercepted at sea near Ceuta or another Spanish exclave, Melilla, cannot be immediately returned to Morocco.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez characterized Thursday's events as an "attack on Spain" and affirmed that his government is working to repatriate those who crossed back to Morocco. However, Patel suggested that Spain's recent amnesty for illegal migrants may be attracting more individuals to Europe. The amnesty reportedly saw nearly 1.2 million applications, with over 600,000 temporary work permits granted since the scheme closed on June 30. Patel warned in her letter that Spain's amnesty could lead to more migrants attempting illegal entry into the UK.
In contrast, Cabinet Office minister Louise Haigh stated that describing the events in Ceuta as an "invasion" was unhelpful. She acknowledged the situation was "extremely concerning" but emphasized that it involved individuals crossing a border, not an organized force. The Foreign Office has not yet publicly responded to the situation in Ceuta. Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has called for Spain to be suspended from the EU's borderless Schengen zone due to the incident.