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Minister calls in Navy to deal with Calais boats

HOME SECRETARY Sajid Javid has called on the Navy to help him handle a small number of refugee boats crossing the Dover Strait.

HMS Mersey, an offshore patrol vessel, is reportedly "available and ready” to be deployed.

The situation, involving 220 arrivals since November, was already being dealt with by civilian agencies, and human rights activists had warned Mr Javid not to involve the military.

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