Martin Daubney has clashed with human rights lawyer Shoaib Khan on how to crack down on online ‘mega dinghy” markets that could be supplying people smugglers.
The pair locked horns over whether increasingly large inflatable boats advertised online should be targeted as part of efforts to tackle Channel crossings.
Mr Khan questioned whether the sale of such boats should automatically be treated as suspicious.
“I’m not sure how sensible that really is,” he said, arguing simply seeing an advertisement did not prove the craft was intended for criminal activity.
An incredulous Martin hit back, questioning whether anyone genuinely believed the huge vessels were being bought for recreational purposes.
“So you think these lads are just going out for a little spot of fishing in the English Channel, do you?” he asked.
The GB News host pointed to 15-metre dinghies capable of carrying huge numbers of people, arguing their emergence was closely linked to the Channel migrant crisis.
“Who ordered the 15-metre black dinghy to go fishing with the chaps? Answer. Nobody,” he said.
“Have you ever in your life seen 230 lads on a 15-metre dinghy? Just having a couple of cans and did a bit of fishing.
“Come on, this is fantasy land,” Martin exclaimed.
“If we get bigger and bigger craft that are easier and easier for rank amateurs and criminals to get hold of, it’s going to lead to more disasters in the Channel,” he said.
“Surely you want to stop these things being sold, mate.”
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Mr Khan agreed the crossings needed to stop but argued the focus should be on why people were trying to reach Britain rather than restricting access to the boats themselves.
“Everyone wants it to stop,” he insisted.
Nevertheless, he dismissed the idea of pursuing the sale of large inflatable boats as “ridiculous”.
“To me personally, that’s ridiculous. It’s quite a ridiculous discussion,” Mr Khan said.
The human rights lawyer asked Martin what the threshold should be for cracking down on the sales.
“Ten metres, is that acceptable? Is eight metres acceptable to you? Would that finally just be okay?”
“If too many people start coming by plane, then do we say, ‘Oh, maybe we need to stop selling on my planes.’”
Martin hit back: “Because it’s completely incomparable to compare a recognised safe mode of transport like an aeroplane with a dodgy dinghy… anyone could buy with no experience, no licence, no proof of identity or who they are. It’s absurd!”
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