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GB News stopped for huge update it's terrible news for Andy Burnham

GB News halted its broadcasting for breaking updates on a major crisis after a historic record was broken that could spell bad news for new PM Andy Burnham

[GB News provided an update which could be a significant setback for new Prime Minister Andy Burnham]

GB News provided an update which could be a significant setback for new Prime Minister Andy Burnham(Image: AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

GB News interrupted its regular programming for a breaking news update on the UK migrant crisis. Presenters Stephen Dixon and Ellie Costello reported that the largest ever 'mega-dinghy' has landed in the UK, carrying 165 illegal migrants.

The development is likely to be a significant setback for new Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who has yet to outline a definitive plan to address the escalating number of migrant arrivals.

The presenters sought the opinion of The Critic's Tom Jones, who said: "Obviously, it's difficult to know because Andy Burnham has said so far so little about what he's planning to do in government. I think it's worth putting this into context.

[Presenters Stephen Dixon and Ellie Costello reported that the largest ever 'mega-dinghy' has landed in the UK (File image)]

Presenters Stephen Dixon and Ellie Costello reported that the largest ever 'mega-dinghy' has landed in the UK (File image)(Image: Instagram)

"The previous record was set just last week. That was 128 people. One of the great changes that we've seen in channel crossings this year is a real material change in the size of the boats. They have got a lot, a lot larger this year."

Jones also disclosed a new strategy devised by smugglers, who have begun departing for the UK from Belgium to evade Calais, which has become overly congested, reports the Express.

He said: "They've also started setting sail from Belgium simply because basically the coasts in France are basically log-jammed. So they are now setting out from Belgium, moving down and making the short crossing from Dover to Calais.

[Andy Burnham was accused of saying 'so little' about what he's planning to do to tackle the migrant crisis]

Andy Burnham was accused of saying 'so little' about what he's planning to do to tackle the migrant crisis(Image: Toby Melville/PA Wire)

"But fundamentally, you know, we've forgotten about the smash the gang strategy because the spotlight has swung off it as we started talking about Shabhana Mahmood immigration reforms.

"But I think the government, I think Burnham is going to have to look again at this because the strategy is clearly not working".

Costello asked: "Is this what the human trafficking gangs are going to exploit now, these so-called mega dinghies? Obviously, for them it's more efficient, isn't it? Getting more people onto one boat."

Jones said: "Well, I think the 'smash the gang' strategy was an attempt to make this a problem of organised crime and blame the people smugglers alone in order to basically pass some reforms that they could get past the Labour backbenches.

"[That was] rather than addressing the actual pull factors that are bringing people here, which is frankly an overly generous settlement."

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