HOME OFFICE proposals to draft the Royal Navy in to tackle small boat crossings lack clarity and appear to be “born out of desperation,” a committee of cross-party MPs has said. 

A report by the defence committee, published yesterday, condemns “squabbling” between the Home Office and MoD, saying recent public spats in the Commons and on Twitter over the policy have been “deeply unedifying.” 

The government announced in January that the Royal Navy would take over roles from Border Force, known as Operation Isotrope, as part of efforts to stop refugee boats from crossing the Channel.