Britain’s borders must be shut completely for a short period to iron out the migrant crisis, Kelvin MacKenzie has stated on GB News.

The esteemed journalist made the claims on the People’s Channel as a new row brews over Labour’s handling of small boat chaos on the Channel.

Questions have been put to Sir Keir Starmer about his new returns deal with France which came into effect on Wednesday.

Despite Government claims its new ‘one in, one out’ pilot scheme will act as a deterrent for migrants considering the arduous trip from France, hundreds have been launched into the Channel.

GB NEWS

MacKenzie made the radical suggestion on GB News as an alternative to Labour’s approach which he says is simply not working.

“Let’s be honest, the judges are firmly on the side of the Labour left and no matter who turns away, they will be back in front of some clapped out immigration judge who wants to make a name for themself”, he said.

“In Number 10, you have a Prime Minister who has made his money and career out of being on the side of the people in the boats. He has never made one penny from being on the side of the voter.

“How he ended up as Prime Minister is beyond me.”

GB NEWS

Jacob Rees-Mogg asked Kelvin about a new poll suggesting 40 per cent of Britons want zero migration, to which he replied: “You must have called me in my sleep. I am one of those.

“We have to have a period of time where we don’t take in anybody. Legal or illegal.

“People who travel around London must think, ‘am I in a different country right now?’ Something really dramatic has happened over the last couple of years and we just need a pause.

“We need a pause from politicians like Starmer and we need a pause from judges who don’t seem to understand. They have a law in front of them and they seem to enjoy enforcing that law.

PA | Britain and France's 'one in, one out' migrant returns deal is feared to be riddled with loopholes

“The Tories were so awful that people voted for a party they knew would do this to them. It’s shocking what’s happening at the moment. People are depressed with life. It’s a shocking moment for the country.”

Initial reports indicate the programme could process approximately 50 returns weekly during its first phase.

With current crossing rates, this would affect roughly one in 17 arrivals - about six per cent of those attempting the journey.

The Home Office maintains that even this limited scope will reduce overall numbers by deterring attempts.

GETTY | Sir Keir Starmer agreed a 'one in one out' deal with France last month in a bid to tackle the number of migrant Channel crossings

Officials believe the possibility of immediate return will discourage people from risking the crossing.

However, critics question whether such low odds of removal will genuinely deter desperate individuals willing to gamble on reaching British shores.

Sir Keir Starmer hailed the agreement as "the product of months of grown-up diplomacy" that would "strike at the heart of these vile gangs' business model".

The Prime Minister declared: "The days of gimmicks and broken promises are over – we will restore order to our borders with the seriousness and competence the British people deserve."

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper emphasised Britain would "always be ready to play its part alongside other countries in helping those fleeing persecution and conflict", but stressed this must happen "in a controlled and managed legal way".

French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau described the arrangement as "a first step in addressing a challenge that calls for the mobilisation of the entire European Union".

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp dismissed the plan entirely: "Returning just 50 illegal immigrants a week, and probably less, will make no difference whatsoever.

“This amounts to just 6 per cent of illegal arrivals. Allowing 94 per cent to stay in the UK will be no deterrent at all. This is a gimmick which won't work."