Keir Starmer wants to work with the French government to tackle the migrant crisis (Image: Getty)

       Sir Keir Starmer says he is willing to work with Marine Le Pen to end the Channel migrant crisis.

       The Labour leader insisted he wants a “stronger, better and deeper” relationship with Paris despite growing alarm about the rise of the far-right in France.

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       Ms Le Pen has stressed that she preferred Britain and France striking bilateral deals to tackle illegal migration.

       But Sir Keir told the Daily Express he wants both.

       This, the Labour leader argued, would allow British investigators to lead operations against the people smugglers operating across Europe.

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       He said: “I will work with any Government in Europe and across the World if we are elected to serve the country.

       “That’s what serious Government is about. So yes, we will work with whoever.

       “We do think it is important that we make the progressive case to meet the challenges that we face across Europe and across the World.

       “I think that only progressive answers will actually make a material difference to the challenges that we are facing.”

       Some 13,491 migrants have crossed the English Channel so far this year – a record total for the first six months of the year.

       The figure is also 18 per cent higher than in 2023, according to analysis of Home Office figures.

       Illegal migration is dominating the political debate in many European countries, with the continent facing its own crisis on its southern and eastern borders.

       And the National Rally party made huge gains in the first round of Parliamentary elections on Sunday.

       Ms Le Pen, who is likely to be the RN presidential candidate in 2027, said “democracy has spoken” after her party secured 33% of the popular vote in the first leg.

       This compared to just 22% for President Macron’s Rennaissance / Together coalition.

       The far-right politician has previously declared Britain and France have the power to operate “joint flights” to send migrants back to “their country of origin”. And bilateral deals should be prioritised over EU-schemes, Ms Le Pen has argued.

       Asked if Sir Keir would be willing to prioritise a bilateral deal with France over EU-wide scheme?

       “I’ve always supported bilaterals, as well as EU wide agreements. They’re not mutually exclusive and some of the agreements we’ve got with France are bilateral in any event.

       “I think they need to be stronger and better and deeper, particularly in relation to smashing the boats that are running the vile trade of putting people into boats.

       “We need to tackle that.

       “But there are also EU measures we want with the EU when it comes to dealing with the smuggling gangs is really important because if we get that across the line, then the UK can lead in some of these investigations and operations.

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       “We’re very good when we lead on them and we can’t lead on them at the moment.”

       Asked again if he would commit to bilateral deals over EU deals, he said:

       “I’m not going to get ahead of myself. They are not mutually exclusive. You can do both and we have done both with France already.”

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