Authorities warned at small-boat inquiry

Migrants' belongings on a French beach, after the deadliest incident since migrant crossings of the Channel began

An inquiry into the most deadly night of small-boat crossings has begun, with authorities warned against "obstruction or foot-dragging".

The investigation will look into the deaths of 27 people in the English Channel in the early hours of 24 November 2021.

At least 30 people were on a small boat that took on water and was swamped.

HM Coastguard and the Home Office are among those giving evidence.

A separate investigation, by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB), has already concluded it took about two hours for the UK authorities to reach the stricken boat once it had entered British waters in the Channel.

HM Coastguard and the Home Office are both participants in the Cranston inquiry, as well as one survivor of the crossing and several bereaved families.

Former High Court judge Sir Ross Cranston, chairing the inquiry, said while small-boat crossings were a "politically controversial issue, with significant humanitarian consequences", his job was to concentrate on the night in question.

Sir Ross Cranston: "There will be no place for obstruction or foot-dragging"

And the hearings "cannot become a vehicle for wider debates."

Because the bodies of the migrants who drowned were recovered to France, there is no requirement in law to hold a coroner's inquest.

Sir Ross said: "I'm required to consider what lessons can be learned and whether recommendations ought to be made to reduce the risk of a similar event happening again.

"There will be no place for, nor tolerance of, obstruction or foot-dragging on the part of those whose involvement in the events of 24 November 2021 will be scrutinised. This is of vital importance."

'Painful wait'

Philippa Kaufmann KC, who represents one survivor and the families of 20 people who drowned, told the hearing they hoped there would be an explanation of any failure in the search-and-rescue operation on the night.

And they had had a "long and painful wait of 27 months" for the inquiry to begin.

Prashant Popat KC, for the Home Office, said: "This inquiry's review of the events of the early hours of the 24 November 2021 will materially contribute to the goal of stopping these criminal gangs from putting so many people in such perilous situations so that such a tragedy never happens again."

The hearing was told Sir Ross had recently visited HM Coastguard's joint rescue co-ordination centre, in Hampshire, to find out more about its work.

The inquiry was adjourned, with the dates of the next hearings yet to be announced.