A LOCAL MP has praised the decision to reappoint Suella Braveman as home secretary - saying she is "best placed to solve the dinghies coming over from France containing illegal immigrants masquerading as asylum seekers."

Philip Davies, Conservative MP for Shipley, has given the new Prime Minister his backing, saying he thought Rishi Sunak’s new cabinet is stronger than the previous one.

Ms Braverman resigned last week after admitting two data breaches but was reappointed by Mr Sunak following an apology.

Mr Davies said: "The thing most of my constituents want the home secretary to solve are the dinghies coming over from France containing illegal immigrants masquerading as asylum seekers.

“I believe Suella Braverman is best placed to solve this and I therefore welcome her re-appointment and wish her well.

“I think Labour are so outraged by her appointment because they have no desire to stop the flow of migrants coming over from France.”

The number of people risking the dangerous crossing of the English Channel has already hit more than 38,000, around 10,000 more than in the entirety of 2021.

MPs previously heard that some 12,000 Albanians have arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel so far this year, of whom 10,000 are single, adult men. This is compared with 50 in 2020.

Other cabinet members who have been reappointed by Mr Sunak include Dominic Raab, Grant Shapps and Michael Gove.

“I think Rishi Sunak has made an excellent start with his cabinet appointments, which I think is a much stronger team than the one it replaced,” Mr Davies said.“

Mr Davies congratulated Mr Sunak on his new role during his first Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday.

“He is absolutely the right person for the job, and I wish him every success,” he added.

Mr Davies then questioned Mr Sunak over the levelling-up agenda, pre-facing his query with, “I am surprised to be asking a question, and I know you are shocked too, Mr Speaker, because I know that, like many others, you thought I would already have been offered a ministerial post.”

Mr Davies then asked: “Will he [Mr Sunak] reaffirm his commitment to levelling-up and start as he means to go on by approving the levelling-up fund bid for Bingley in my constituency?” he asked.

In response, Mr Sunak said: “I can give him [Mr Davies] my cast iron commitment to levelling up, particularly in Yorkshire, which he and I share.

“Obviously, he will know I cannot comment on individual bids but by the end of the year an announcement is expected and I wish him every luck.”

Government prioritised Bradford as an area needing investment, and bids had to be submitted through the Council.

Bingley’s bid would see Bingley Pool transformed into a modern new leisure facility with a six-lane swimming pool, a gym, a studio and a café.