Starmer ‘very concerned' over Germany's role in migrant crossings

Telegraph

17-07-2025

17 July 2025 4:52pm
4:44PM
Inside the London to Berlin trains pledge
Eurostar-style trains between London and Berlin could run under plans being drawn up by Sir Keir Starmer and Friedrich Merz.
The two leaders will pledge to demolish barriers stopping rail travel between the countries, with a direct link between the capitals believed to be under discussion.
Heidi Alexander, the Transport Secretary, told The Telegraph that among the initiatives will be a commitment to set up a working group to facilitate direct rail links between St Pancras in London and Germany.
She said: 'The Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Wall and Checkpoint Charlie – in just a matter of years, rail passengers in the UK could be able to visit these iconic sights direct from the comfort of a train, thanks to a direct connection linking London and Berlin.'
4:36PM
Analysis: Treaty reveals blueprint for future of European defence
The blueprint for the future of European defence is buried in Britain's new 'friendship treaty' with Germany.
It's hidden by the warm talks of school exchanges, shared values, trade and direct rail links but look closely enough and steel foundations are being laid.
It's a future set to be dominated by the 'triangle' of London, Berlin and Paris - a partnership of Europe's two nuclear powers with its richest nation, which has plans to build its strongest army.
The clues are in the treaty, which declares 'the Parties shall seek to intensify the trilateral cooperation with the French Republic' to 'jointly address international challenges'.
The US, the guarantor of European security since the Second World War, will be increasingly distant and turn more and more to Asia and the Pacific.
Ukraine meanwhile will be being armed by a combination of European weapons and US arms, paid for by Europe, to keep the Russians at bay.
Sir Keir Starmer signed defence pacts with the EU in May and France last week. Mr Merz said it was 'no coincidence' he came to Britain a week later.
Russia aggression in Ukraine is an undeniable catalyst for the security agreements.
The new pact declares 'the Russian Federation's brutal war of aggression on the European continent as the most significant and direct threat to their security'.
There's a reason why the deals with France and Britain contain pledges that an attack on one ally is an attack on both.
If there is no need for a NATO safety net, why replicate Article 5?
It's clear that Berlin, London and Paris don't want to be caught short by Washington again.
4:32PM
'We need boots under the negotiating table,' says Starmer
Keir Starmer is asked about whether he still thinks the 'coalition of the willing' nations could still have boots on the ground to protect a future peace deal in Ukraine.
'The first thing to do is get the boots under the negotiating table for a ceasefire,' he responds.
4:18PM
Starmer tells suspended MPs to fall in line
The Prime Minister has warned rebels in his own party that he will not be 'deflected' from his mission to change the country byt those who 'repeatedly break the whip'.
He said: 'We were elected in to change this country for the better and that means we have got to carry through that change and we have to carry through reforms.'
Sir Keir Starmer said he would not be 'deflected' from his plans for government.
On the decision to suspend four Labour MPs this week, he said: 'We had to deal with people who repeatedly break the whip, because everyone was elected as a Labour MP on the manifesto of change and everybody needs to deliver as a Labour government, this is about what we're doing for the country, and that's why I'm so determined to press forward with the reforms and the change that we need to bring about.'
4:13PM
Merz: Brexit derailed youth mobility
The German chancellor said he welcomed the agreement on youth mobility, blaming Brexit for derailing schemes.
'It is here that Brexit has been painfully evidenced in the past years,' he said, adding that it would be his 'pleasure' to welcome school groups without passports or visas.
4:04PM
Britain, France and Germany are 'converging' on migration policy, says Merz
Friedrich Merz has said that Britain, France and Germany are 'converging' on policy matters such as migration and security.
According to a translation of the German chancellor's comments, he said that Germany is linked with France through the Elysee Treaty, and the UK and France are linked by the Lancaster House Treaty.
He said: 'Great Britain, France and Germany are converging in their positions on foreign policy, on security policy, on migration policy, but also on economic policy issues.
'However, this dynamic is never exclusive in nature. We're always bearing in mind Poland, Italy and the other also smaller European partners in whatever decision we take.'
He added:'We want to stand up and trust to and drastically reduce illegal migration in Europe.
'We are on a good path, but we haven't reached the target yet.'
Mr Merz said he had taken steps to reduce the number of migrants in Germany but he did not want to 'damage' the Schengen area or single market and wanted to focus on better European regulations to protect the bloc's external border.
4:00PM
Merz praises Trump weapon pledge
The German chancellor has said he is 'very grateful' to Donald Trump for pledging to send weapons to Ukraine via Nato earlier this week.
He said the US president's readiness to assist will ramp up the pressure on Vladimir Putin to negotiate peace.
'Europe and the United States are pulling in the same direction here,' he said.
Sir Keir Starmer said the US president was backing up his desire for Putin to 'move' with military and economic capability.
3:52PM
'I personally deplore Brexit,' says Merz
The German Chancellor has said he personally 'deplores' Britain's decision to leave the European Union.
Friedrich Merz said: 'It is together that we respond to the major challenges of our time… the UK, and I personally deplore this deeply, decided to leave the European Union.'
Mr Merz said security was the 'thread running through the treaty,' as he reaffirmed the Nato commitments to assist one another in case of attack.
He added that 'Russia is shaking the European Security Architecture and the transatlantic ties are undergoing a far reaching transformation like we have not seen for a very long time' and it is under these conditions that both the UK and Germany are looking to 'secure the freedom and prosperity' for their people.
3:48PM
Starmer 'very concerned' over smuggling routes through Germany
Sir Keir Starmer said he was 'very concerned' over the fact that engines and component parts were travelling through Germany.
Speaking at Airbus in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, he said: 'We're determined to intervene at every stage of the journey. Last week we dealt with France in our ability to return people.
'For a long time I've been very concerned about the fact that engines and component parts are travelling through and being stored in Germany. But they can't be seized because the law didn't accommodate for a country that had left the EU.
The Prime Minister thanked Friedrich Merz for his government's efforts to disrupt migrant smuggling routes to the UK.
He said: 'I want to thank Friedrich for his leadership on this, pledging decisive action to strengthen German law this year so that small boats being stored or transported in Germany can be seized, disrupting the route to the UK.
'It's a clear sign that we mean business. We are coming after the criminal gangs in every way that we can.'
The Prime Minister said the UK and Germany are 'leading the work to get the best kit to Ukraine as fast as possible'.
'This is partnership with a purpose, building the foundations of stability across our continent which make us safer, boost our economy and deliver change for our people.'
3:37PM
Migrant smuggling at forefront of talks
The Kensington Treaty comes after Germany committed last year to make facilitating the smuggling of migrants to the UK a criminal offence.
Friedrich Merz is expected to commit to adopting the law change by the end of the year.
Downing Street has described the move as a 'significant step'.
Asked if Sir Keir Starmer was frustrated by the slow pace of change in Germany, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said that people smuggling is 'an international issue that requires international solutions'.
'And over the last year, you've seen the Prime Minister working tirelessly to reset relationships across Europe, and you've seen a number of examples of the progress of that, not least with the French last week,' he added.
'This is a significant step that will give law enforcement and prosecutors the tools they need to address this scandal of small boats which are destined to cross the Channel being stored and concealed in Germany.'