LABOUR was accused of “pandering to the far right” today after an MP said new counter-terror powers for border security will “be part of what makes a difference” a day after three people died trying to cross the Channel in a small boat.

Labour MP for Dover and Deal Mike Tapp talked up the “disruptive techniques” to tackle people-smuggling today in the government’s Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill.

He said there was “no quick fix” to the issue, despite repeated warnings that only safe passage routes will stop the deaths, which have risen to an average of one per week this year.