French Channel patrol deal delayed as Mahmood seeks tougher terms

A deal with France to pay for migrant beach patrols has been delayed because Shabana Mahmood wants stricter, payment-by-results terms, The Times has been told. The Home Office said it was trying to add “flexibility and innovation” to the agreement to base funding on the number of interceptions made by the French. British officials will go to Paris this week for another round of talks on the proposed three-year deal before the existing arrangement expires next Tuesday. There are concerns about a potential surge in Channel crossings if there is a gap between the deals. At present, Britain pays nearly...