A NUMBER OF politicians have reacted to the tragedy at the port of Tilbury where a man died and 35 were taken to hospital after being discovered in a container that had arrived from Belgium.
Immigration and Security Minister James Brokenshire said the incident was "a reminder of the often devastating human consequences of illegal migration".
He said: "We know that criminal gangs are involved in what amounts to a brutal trade in human lives. We also know that illegal migration is a Europe-wide issue.
"That is why we work closely and collaboratively with law enforcement and port authorities, in neighbouring countries, to target criminal networks and ensure that the organised gangs behind trafficking and people smuggling can’t operate with impunity."
Thurrock MP, Jackie Doyle Price said: "I commend the vigilance of staff at Tilbury who prevented this from being a bigger tragedy than it is. I am only too aware of the real efforts made by the Port and by Border Force to tackle illegal immigration.
"This is big business for organised criminals who exploit the desire that some have to seek a better life. The transporting of people in metal containers is highly dangerous. I hope that as the investigation proceeds those responsible will be brought to justice.
"The message also needs to go out that Britain is not a land of milk and honey for those who manage to get here without going through the legal channels and that we will take action against those who exploit the vulnerable and desperate".
MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, Stephen Metcalfe said the incident was "tragic".
"The fact that so many people appear to have travelled so far and are so desperate to get into the UK, either on their own or being trafficked is really very sad"
He said it was important "to get to the root causes of what is motivating people to go to such extreme lengths to travel from other parts of the world to get into the UK" and combat people-trafficking.
Prospective parliamentary candidate for Thurrock, Polly Billington said:
Labour candidate for Thurrock MP, Polly Billington said:
"I am shocked and saddened to hear about what happened at Tilbury docks today. Human trafficking is often a route to modern day slavery and it is horrifying and unacceptable to find this going on in our back yard – even more so with children involved. We must wait to hear the full details but as a community we must push for the prosecution of ringleaders."
Labour candidate for South Basildon and East Thurrock MP, Mike Le-Surf said:
"It’s a real shock to hear about this tragic event on our own doorstep.
We will have to wait for the full circumstances to be made clear but human trafficking has to be dealt with in the strongest terms. Preying on the desperation of vulnerable people in this way must not be tolerated and I will do all I can to make sure this is addressed."
Former Labour MP for Thurrock, Andrew Mackinlay said today: "Time and time again, I would warn ministers about need for measures to deal with the porous UK ports generally and along the Thames river frontage in particular.
But time and time again I was ignored. They never listened!
Earlier, during the Major govt. when Michael Howard was Home Sec. my suggestions for a proper dedicated ‘All UK’ ports police force with the appropriate technology, forensic, investigatory, and CID resources was spurned!
"This terrible harrowing tragedy is the tip of the iceberg. Unless or until the UK govt seriously invests in the technology that is available, and requires all uk ports to use it.
"The criminal gangs will continue to succeed with their human trafficking and the tragedy and deaths will be repeated. The govt need to get real on this and not utter platitudes and wringing their hands. They need to invest in the technology to combat this crime of trafficking, and many other crimes facilitated through all uk ports and containerisation".
