Stephen Dixon tore into a Labour minister on GB News today, as he asked that the MP "just be honest" about Britain's soaring migrant crossings.

The confrontation occurred as maritime authorities struggled to manage approximately 900 migrants attempting the perilous journey in a single day.

Stephen pressed Gareth Thomas to provide honest answers about why crossing numbers had increased substantially after more than twelve months of Labour governance.

Speaking on The People's Channel, Ellie Costello said: "900 migrants crossed the Channel yesterday.

GB NEWS

"At least two of the boats were dangerously overloaded, 95 people crammed onto each dinghy. And this is all under a Government that promised to smash the gangs."

Thomas responded: "Absolutely. But you don’t solve a problem as significant as this at the flick of a switch.

"There are a series of measures we’ve been talking about for a year, including increasing cooperation with the French authorities.

"We’ve recently reached an agreement with them, and now we need to work that through, getting all our agencies working alongside theirs to crack down on the criminal gangs."

GB News host Stephen Dixon said: "All right, Minister, just be honest with me, be absolutely straight.

"What do you think people watching and listening to this will think when you say that, after more than a year in office, and all we've seen is small boat crossing numbers go up significantly?"

Thomas replied: "Well, I think people watching this will recognise that we inherited a very significant problem. And I hope they’ll see that we’re taking a series of steps to begin addressing it.

"You don’t get the change you want overnight. We have to crack down on the gangs and take action on the beaches where the boats are launching.

"We’re giving our police and authorities additional powers through legislation currently going through Parliament.

"At the same time, we need to offer safe, legal routes for genuine asylum seekers. We’re speeding up and expanding that process.

"We also need to demonstrate that we are removing those who have no right to be in the UK. Removals have gone up significantly over the last 12 months.

"So, yes, steps are being taken. I completely understand the frustration. We feel it too. But we’re working to fix what was left behind."

Maritime chaos erupted in the Channel yesterday, as French and British authorities deployed extensive resources to manage the crisis.

Dover, Ramsgate, Walmer and Dungeness lifeboat crews joined overwhelmed Border Force vessels in responding to numerous dinghies making the crossing.

PA | More than 23,000 small boat migrants have crossed Channel so far in 2025

French patrol boats and rescue craft escorted several migrant vessels towards British waters, with maritime security experts describing conditions as "complete chaos".

A senior source revealed Border Force lacked sufficient capacity to handle the volume of attempts, necessitating substantial RNLI assistance.

The vessels were perilously overcrowded, with reports indicating some dinghies carried as many as 95 individuals each.

Despite variable weather throughout the previous week, approximately 1,000 people had attempted crossings over seven consecutive days, with improved conditions overnight facilitating the dramatic surge in numbers.