Undercover on a migrant dinghy: French police help the smugglers

Undercover on a migrant dinghy: French police help the smugglers

Author: The Telegraph August 25, 2026 Duration: 46:46

In Tuesday’s episode of The Daily T, Camilla Tominey speaks with investigative journalist Isabel Oakeshott and undercover reporter Christian Drogan following their year-long operation to infiltrate people-smuggling networks in northern France.


Christian describes his seven-hour journey across the English Channel alongside 35 migrants, revealing how armed gangs operated with near impunity in French camps and migrants discarded their phones at sea to avoid detection.


Isabel details the security risks and planning required to get a British reporter on to a migrant dinghy, and describes the Channel crossings as a “national security emergency” that is not represented accurately by official figures.


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Studio Operator: Meghan Searle

Producer: David Levene

Social Producer: Nada Aggour

Video Producer: Jim Spencer

Executive Producer: Charlotte Seligman

Editor: Camilla Tominey


Highlights:



  • Isabel explains why the migrant crisis is a 'National security emergency'
  • Christian recounts his story and the harrowing tale of crossing the Channel on a dinghy
  • The French Police are accused of helping the smugglers back to shore.

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For a sharp, unfiltered take on the stories shaping Britain and beyond, tune into The Daily T. This daily podcast from The Telegraph is driven by the candid chemistry and quick wit of Associate Editor Camilla Tominey and columnist Tim Stanley. They don’t just recap the headlines; they dive into the nuances, arguments, and often absurd realities behind the day’s most pressing topics in politics, culture, and society. The conversation is free-thinking and direct, cutting through the noise with a blend of analysis and humour that feels more like a compelling chat with well-informed friends than a formal news broadcast. Listeners will find themselves in the middle of intelligent debates on Westminster manoeuvres, cultural shifts, and global affairs. The podcast regularly features exclusive sit-downs with a wide array of influential voices, from political figures like Nigel Farage and Kemi Badenoch to other prominent names in the public eye, adding depth and varied perspective to the ongoing dialogue. It’s a reliable, engaging listen for anyone wanting to understand the ‘why’ behind the news, delivered with the distinctive edge and authority of The Telegraph’s editorial voice. Each episode promises to be both a briefing and a provocation, making The Daily T a standout in the daily news podcast landscape.
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