Priti Patel says it is up to France to stop refugees crossing Channel

Home secretary reiterates offer to send more police to France after 27 people drown trying to reach UK

Britain and France have traded diplomatic barbs after the deaths of 27 people who drowned trying to cross the Channel, with Priti Patel, the home secretary, saying it was up to the French to take action to prevent further such tragedies.

As the countries tussled over whether more UK police should be sent to France to try to stop crossings in small boats, Patel's French counterpart, Gerald Darmanin, blamed the illegal labour market in the UK for attracting people.