Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, attributed the ongoing small boats crisis in part to Brexit, according to reports from left- and right-leaning outlets.
Right-leaning outlets reported that around 1,000 migrants arrived by small boat over a three-day period, with the Daily Express describing Burnham as 'losing control' of the situation.
The Sun reported that Burnham acknowledged he could not stop Channel migrant crossings, while also blaming Brexit for the increase.
GB News reported that a Labour MP criticised the outlet's migration coverage and suggested the BBC should downplay coverage of the small boats crisis. It was not specified in the supplied material whether this MP was Burnham himself.
The Independent reported that Burnham ruled out the possibility of an early general election.
How each side covered it
Left
- The Independent reported Burnham blamed Brexit for the small boats crisis.
- The Independent reported Burnham ruled out an early general election.
“Burnham blames Brexit for small boats crisis - but rules out early general election” — The Independent
Right
- The Daily Express reported around 1,000 small boat migrants arrived in three days and described Burnham as 'losing control'.
- The Sun reported Burnham admitted he could not stop Channel migrant crossings and blamed Brexit.
- GB News reported a Labour MP attacked its migration coverage and suggested the BBC downplay the small boats crisis.
“Andy Burnham 'losing control' after 1,000 small boat migrants arrive in three days” — Daily Express
Questions readers ask
What did Andy Burnham say about the small boats crisis?
According to The Independent and The Sun, Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, blamed Brexit for the small boats crisis. The Sun reported he also admitted he could not stop Channel migrant crossings.
How many migrants arrived by small boat recently?
The Daily Express reported that around 1,000 small boat migrants arrived over a three-day period, a figure not confirmed by other supplied sources.
Did Andy Burnham call for a general election?
No. The Independent reported that Burnham ruled out an early general election.
What did right-leaning outlets focus on regarding this story?
Right-leaning outlets, including the Daily Express and The Sun, focused on the scale of small boat arrivals and Burnham's admission he could not stop crossings, while GB News reported criticism of its migration coverage by a Labour MP.
Is it clear whether the Labour MP who criticised GB News was Burnham?
The supplied material does not specify whether the Labour MP who criticised GB News over its migration coverage was Andy Burnham or another MP.
Sources · 4 outlet reports
- The IndependentLeft-leaningBurnham blames Brexit for small boats crisis - but rules out early general election
- Daily ExpressRight-leaningPOLL: Is Brexit to blame for small boats crisis?
- GB NewsRight-leaningMigrant crisis: Andy Burnham blames Brexit for migrant crossings as Britain sees record day for arrivals this year
- The SunRight-leaningBurnham admits he CAN'T stop Channel migrants & he blames Brexit for surge