Channel crossings: Patel calls on social media companies to take down videos

Home Secretary Priti Patel has called for the removal of social media posts that “glamourise” dangerous migrant crossings from Europe.

In a letter to social media companies, Ms Patel said videos promoting “lethal crossings” were “unacceptable”.

Facebook, which also owns Instagram, said people smuggling was illegal and that content encouraging the activity was “not allowed” on its platforms.

Several hundred migrants have attempted to cross the Channel in the past week.

Reports that a Border Force ship entered French waters and picked up migrants from a UK-bound dinghy are being investigated by the Home Office.