A dinghy carrying approximately 60 migrants completed an unprecedented 38-hour crossing from Normandy to Dover, arriving in the early hours after initially being reported bound for Gosport in Hampshire. The lengthy journey, reportedly the longest duration of any small-boat migrant crossing, was escorted by French naval vessels and subsequently handed over to the RNLI and Border Force, renewing scrutiny of Labour's £662 million agreement with France to prevent crossings. Conservative critics have argued the incident demonstrates the ineffectiveness of current border security measures and France's lack of effort to stop departures.

The vessel departed from Port-en-Bessin near Bayeux on Monday morning and was accompanied by four French lifeboats, a search-and-rescue tugboat, and a French Navy helicopter. French authorities stated they did not actively intervene due to safety concerns about the overcrowded boat, though additional migrants boarded when the vessel drifted close to shore. Initial reports that the boat would dock in Gosport prompted hundreds of protesters to gather in the town and nearby Portsmouth; when the vessel was rerouted to Dover, six arrests were made following clashes with police as some demonstrators became hostile towards officers.