Sedated children put onto small boats before Channel crossings by sick smugglers

Sick traffickers are sedating children before they are put on small boats crossing the English Channel, horrified MPs have been told.

Solicitor general Lucy Rigby said criminals are doing it to make sure youngsters are "compliant" during the dangerous journey. The Labour frontbencher said Crown Prosecution Service lawyers had told her smugglers were attempting to make children more cooperative.

She said: "I've heard from CPS prosecutors about the deplorable actions that these smugglers take. Not only facilitating very young children being aboard the boats, but even sedating them to ensure that they are compliant during the crossing."

READ MORE: Compulsory ID cards supported by nearly six in 10 Brits as PM weighs up plan

READ MORE: UK troops could deploy to Ukraine straight away if peace deal reached says minister

The minister was responding to Labour MP Alex Ballinger, who said his constituents in Halesowen were concerned. He said: "They are calling for swift and tough action against the people smugglers responsible for these dangerous crossings that are putting the lives of women and children at risk.

"Can the solicitor general outline how she is supporting this action?" Mr Rigby replied: "(He) is right, the dangers that people face, particularly children when they cross the Channel are extremely grave and this Government is absolutely determined to break the business model of the people smugglers, that way protecting our borders and stopping lives, including young lives, being put in such danger."

Home Office figures show it has been more than a week since the last migrants arrived in small boats on UK shores. The last crossings were recorded on August 26.

More than 29,000 people have made the deadly journey, which claimed nearly 80 lives last year, since January. A new 'one in one out' returns deal with France will see the first people removed from the UK later this month, the Government says.

The pilot - which ministers hope to expand in the future - will see people who crossed the Channel detained and sent back, in exchange for those who apply and are approved. Ms Rigby said: "Anyone involved in the vile trade of people smuggling will be met with the full force of the law."

She continued: "I contrast our approach with that of the party opposite (the Tories) who have, of course, left us with this borders crisis and with Reform who are happy to stoke anger but have absolutely no answers."

Tory shadow solicitor general Helen Grant said: "I completely disagree with what the solicitor general has said about the last government's record in this area.

"I do think it's a bit rich in terms of what she's said in view of her Government's record in the last 12 months."

READ MORE: Join our Mirror politics WhatsApp group to get the latest updates from Westminster