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UK Border Security Chief Resigns Amid Boat Crisis

3/21/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Martin Hewitt, head of the UK's Border Security Command, will resign at end of March after 18 months.
His tenure included over 58,000 small boat crossings and 41% of asylum claims linked to migrants.
Hewitt said deterring crossings would take time.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp blamed the government, citing Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership.
Official figures show 3,863 small-boat arrivals this year, including 144 on a recent Thursday.

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Story summary

Martin Hewitt, head of the UK's Border Security Command, will resign at end of March after 18 months.
His tenure included over 58,000 small boat crossings and 41% of asylum claims linked to migrants.
Hewitt said deterring crossings would take time.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp blamed the government, citing Prime Minister Keir Starmer's leadership.
Official figures show 3,863 small-boat arrivals this year, including 144 on a recent Thursday.