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GB News star Martin Daubney has found himself at the centre of a debate with Dragons' Den star Deborah Meaden over small boat crossings in the Channel. On X over the weekend, Ms Meaden lauded the fact that the number of migrants crossing the Channel in small boats so far in 2026 had decreased compared to last year. However, her remarks came on the same weekend that almost 900 made the journey and that two migrants died trying to make the crossing. Ms Meaden had taken to X to seemingly suggest that a lower number of illegal Channel crossings was down to the government's teamwork with the French authorities. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say The Dragons' Den star had reposted another X user's post, which suggested there was a "slowdown" in small boats making the journey. The X user in question cited an article in The Times which said that as of May 1, "6,416 small-boat migrants had reached Britain compared with 9,885 by April 30 last year." This represented a drop of a third - a fact Ms Meaden was keen to share with her 695.3k X followers. Ms Meaden reposted the social media post with her own caption: "Turns out collaborating with our EU neighbours is pretty effective." More than 750 illegals arrived this weekend. You might want to occasionally Google “weather conditions in the English Channel”. When the weather is calm, numbers rocket. Sod all to do with any deal with the French https://t.co/Qi9b7SedFn — Martin Daubney (@MartinDaubney) May 3, 2026 However, Martin was one of many who were quick to suggest that there were other factors at play that may have resulted in the numbers decreasing, as well as the fact that over 6,000 is still quite a substantial figure. Rather than a harmonious collaboration with Britain's European neighbour, Martin pointed out: "More than 750 illegals arrived this weekend. "You might want to occasionally Google 'weather conditions in the English Channel'. "When the weather is calm, numbers rocket. Sod all to do with any deal with the French." LATEST DEVELOPMENTS Cameron Diaz welcomes third child with husband as pair share heartfelt meaning behind baby name 'Siding with an antisemitic thug!' Jeremy Clarkson slams Zack Polanski over Golders Green police row BBC under fire from TV exec over Scouse stereotypes in crime dramas: 'Wake up and smell the coffee!' And Martin wasn't alone. "Sorry Debs but I wouldn't call handing the French authorities over £750 MILLION of taxpayers' money only for them to allow more than 50,000 illegal Channel crossings 'pretty effective'," another X user criticised. Meanwhile, a second weighed in: "The point is lost here - the incoming number should be zero, and 99% of the public know its weather dependant. Meaden is a publicity hound - give her plenty of no notice." "You cannot quote facts to lefties like Meaden, it hurts their feelings, bless," a third argued, while a fourth sarcastically suggested: "Perhaps Debs could house a few in her many properties." However, there were some who felt the focus should be on the fact that the numbers were coming down year-on-year rather than the figure itself. "Still a fact that numbers from this time last year are DOWN 42% ....Why read out only one side of the coin Martin?" one X user asked, while a second echoed: "Numbers are DOWN 42%. But nice try." (sic) Responding to GB News' report that nearly 900 migrants had crossed in small boats this Bank Holiday weekend, a Home Office spokesperson said: "This Government is bearing down on small boat crossings. "The Home Secretary has signed a landmark new deal with France to boost enforcement action on beaches and put people smugglers behind bars. "This builds on joint work that has stopped over 42,000 illegal migrants attempting to cross the Channel since the election." Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
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