Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Priti Patel's ally calls ice cream company 'overpriced junk food' brand in Channel crossings row

PRITI PATEL's allies have hit out at Ben and Jerry's after it railed on social media against her tough talk on Channel crossings.

The ice cream company seemed to target the home secretary via Twitter on Tuesday (11), commenting that the “real crisis” was “lack of humanity”.


"People wouldn't make dangerous journeys if they had any other choice," it said in a series of tweets, adding that “people cannot be illegal”.

While a Home Office source slammed Ben and Jerry's as an "overpriced junk food" brand, a Tory minister took a swipe at its  "statistically inaccurate virtue signalling".

Patel has of late taken a strong stance on rampant migrant crossings across the English Channel.

Last week, she had said the UK was working to make the Channel route "unviable" and named Dan O'Mahoney, a former Royal Marine, as Britain's Clandestine Channel Threat Commander, creating a new role to deal with the issue.

"The number of illegal small boat crossings is appalling and unacceptably high. The figures are shameful," Patel had said.

"We are working to make this route unviable and arresting the criminals facilitating these crossings and making sure they are brought to justice.

"Dan’s appointment is vital to cutting this route by bringing together all operational partners in the UK and in France."

On Tuesday, Ben and Jerry's tagged the home secretary and tweeted: "Hey @PritiPatel, we think the real crisis is our lack of humanity for people fleeing war, climate change and torture."

In another tweet, the company said: “People wouldn’t make dangerous journeys if they had any other choice. The UK hasn’t resettled any refugees since March, but wars and violence continue. What we need is more safe and legal routes.”

It also went on to urge ministers to have “conversations” with “experts at organisations like Refugee Action” to find “solutions” to issues.

Responding the Twitter barrage, a Home Office told BBC: "Priti is working day and night to bring an end to these small boat crossings, which are facilitated by international criminal gangs and are rightly of serious concern to the British people.

"If that means upsetting the social media team for a brand of overpriced junk food, then so be it."

Foreign Office minister James Cleverly, too, took a jibe at the company on Twitter: "Can I have a large scoop of statistically inaccurate virtue signalling with my grossly overpriced ice cream, please?"

Britain, meanwhile, continued to press France to intensify efforts to halt the "completely unacceptable" numbers of migrants crossing the English Channel.

Immigration minister Chris Philp met French officials in Paris on Tusday, conveying concerns in London over the numbers of migrants entering British waters from France.

"French authorities are doing a great deal of work... but the sheer numbers crossing the Channel are completely unacceptable. Unacceptable to the French government and unacceptable to the UK government," Philp told reporters.

"So it's quite clear that more needs to be done."

Prime Minister Boris Johnson maintained that the illegal migrant crossings were "very bad and stupid and dangerous", and they needed to be stopped in cooperation with France.

More For You

Spain earthquakes

Almería airport sustained damage in its departures lounge

CSmonitor

Spain earthquakes: What we know about the 5.4-magnitude tremor that shook tourist regions

Highlights:

  • A 5.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Almería, southern Spain, at 7.13 am on Monday
  • The tremor was felt in over 50 towns, including tourist destinations like Malaga
  • No injuries have been reported, but building damage occurred in airports and showrooms
  • The quake follows a weekend of floods and severe weather in Spain
  • No UK Foreign Office travel warnings have been issued, but travellers are advised to check local alerts

Southern Spain was rocked by a 5.4-magnitude earthquake on the morning of Monda,y 14 July, with tremors felt across several provinces, including popular tourist destinations.

The earthquake struck at 7.13 am off the coast of Almería, nearly two miles below sea level, according to Spain’s National Geographic Institute (IGN). Despite its intensity, there have been no reported injuries, although some structural damage has occurred.

Keep ReadingShow less
Air India flight crash
Air India's Boeing 787-8 aircraft, operating flight AI-171 to London Gatwick, crashed into a medical hostel complex shortly after take-off from Ahmedabad on June 12.
Getty Images

Air India chief says crash report opens new questions, no conclusions yet

A PRELIMINARY report into last month's Air India plane crash that killed 260 people has raised further questions, and the investigation is still ongoing, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said in a memo to staff on Monday.

The initial report, released by India’s Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB) on Saturday, pointed to confusion in the cockpit shortly before the Boeing 787 Dreamliner crashed.

Keep ReadingShow less
Trump-Getty

Trump will become the first elected political leader in modern times to be hosted for two state visits by a British monarch. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

King Charles to host Donald Trump for state visit in September

KING CHARLES will host US president Donald Trump in September for a second state visit to Britain, Buckingham Palace announced on Monday.

The visit is scheduled to take place from 17 to 19 September.

Keep ReadingShow less
southend london plane crash

A plume of black smoke rises from an area near the runway after a small plane crash, as seen from inside a building at London Southend Airport on July 13, 2025. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters

Southend Airport closed after plane crash

LONDON Southend Airport in Essex has been closed until further notice after a small plane crashed at the airport on England’s south-east coast on Sunday, according to police.

In a post on X, London Southend Airport said all flights to and from the airport have been cancelled while emergency services, police, and air accident investigators are at the scene.

Keep ReadingShow less
Rachel Reeves

'This fund will give hundreds of thousands of children, young people and their families a better chance,' Reeves said in a statement. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Government launches £500 million fund for vulnerable children

THE UK government on Sunday launched a £500 million Better Futures Fund aimed at supporting up to 200,000 vulnerable children over the next 10 years.

According to the government, the fund will focus on helping struggling families by improving children's access to education and ensuring a safe home environment.

Keep ReadingShow less