Macron arrives at No10 for talks as Burnham pleads for more French action against Channel boats and pushes Brexit 'reset'

See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Published: 06:30 EDT, 3 September 2026 | Updated: 06:43 EDT, 3 September 2026 Andy Burnham welcomed Emmanuel Macron for talks in Downing Street today as he urges the French to step up action on Channel boats.The PM and his wife Marie-France embraced Mr Macron and wife Brigitte outside the famous black door.The red carpet had been rolled out for the visit of the president, matching Mrs Macron's striking outfit.Mr Burnham hailed his fellow leader as a 'strong friend of Britain', after they spent yesterday evening viewing the Bayeux Tapestry together with the King.The PM is expected to use the discussions to plead for more help stopping illegal crossings.The two leaders are announcing plans for a new 'surge team' of French police, funded by Britain, to tackle the growing use of 'mega-dinghies', carrying up to 230 migrants. Andy Burnham and his wife Marie-France (left) embraced Emmanuel Macron and wife Brigitte (right) outside the famous black door The red carpet had been rolled out for the visit of the president, matching Mrs Macron's striking outfit Mr Burnham is expected to use the discussions to plead for more help stopping illegal Channel crossings (file picture)But government sources have admitted that it will involve just 45 extra officers.Mr Burnham will also ask Mr Macron to extend the controversial 'one in, one out' deal, despite it leading to the removal of fewer than 30 illegal migrants a week in its first year.With a UK-EU summit looming this autumn, Mr Burnham could take the opportunity to float his ideas for closer ties with Europe. The PM has said this summer's fall in the number of crossings showed 'what can be achieved when the UK and France work together'.But the Conservatives branded the plans a 'joke', arguing that rough weather was the main reason for the reduction.