Migrant boat rescue: Five Albanians claim asylum

Five migrants who were rescued from a boat carrying 15 other people off the Kent coast have claimed asylum.

The Home Office said the five Albanians' claims were being dealt with "in line with immigration rules".

It said a further 13 fellow Albanians were being "processed for removal from the UK".

The claims come after the UK coastguard was called to aid a rigid-hulled inflatable boat or RIB with 20 people on board near Dymchurch on Sunday.

Two British men, Robert Stilwell, 33, from Dartford, and Mark Stribling, 35, from Farningham, have been charged with people smuggling.

Mr Stilwell and Mr Stribling were charged with conspiring to facilitate the entry of non-EU nationals.

They were remanded in custody to appear before Maidstone Crown Court on 27 June.