Hewitt Steps Down as Border Chief

0:00On March 20th, Martin Hewitt is stepping down as head of the United Kingdom's border security command at the end of March after 18 months on the buy. Job. Prime Minister Kierstarmer appointed the former senior police officer in September 2024 to tackle the rising number of small boats, crossing the English Channel from France. Crossings have remained high during his tenure, with 58,910 people arriving since he started and 41,000. The former 72 last year alone, marking the second highest annual total. Opposition figures like Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp blamed the surge on government decisions, such as scrapping the Rwandan deportation plan, rather than Hewitt himself. They argue, labor leaders have not taken tough enough steps, like leaving the European Convention on Human Rights. The Home Office praised Hewitt for uniting agencies and international partners against smuggling gangs and passing new border laws. No far this year, nearly 4,000 people have crossed by small boat.

1:00Meanwhile, labor faces pushback from its own ranks over plans to extend the wait for indefinite leave to remain from five to ten years, sparking. Debates that could lead to a parliamentary vote as the border challenges persist.