Boris Johnson says anti-Brexit campaigners have 'orgasm' over migration figures

Sign up for our email free on Brexit and beyond for the latest headlines on what Brexit means for the UK Sign up to our Brexit email for the latest information Please enter a valid email address Please enter an email address valid emailI would like to receive offers, events and updates from The Independent by email. Read our privacy notice{{ #verifyErrors }}{{ message }}{{ /verifyErrors }}{{ ^verifyErrors }}Something went wrong. Please try again later. {{ /verifyErrors }}

Boris Johnson has launched a scathing attack on anti-Brexit campaigners for 'singing' about record immigration figures - calling on Rishi Sunak to use Brexit to order a repression.

The former prime minister presided over a steady rise in net migration during his time in 10th place, despite repeated promises to reduce the numbers after Brexit.

Without any apology for his role in the perceived immigration crisis, Mr Johnson used the latest figures showing net migration reached 745,000 to criticize both Remain campaigners and Mr Sunak.

In his latest Mail column, Mr Johnson said "the anti-Brexit brigade" had "succumbed to a collective orgasm of excitement" over the huge increase of the number of people coming to the United Kingdom.

"It's a failure, they sing. Brexit is a failure, they say, and this is not the first time they speak in a low voice. What they are saying is the complete opposite of the truth, and in their cynical hearts they know it," he added.

Mr. Johnson also argued that current high levels of immigration mean "the anti-Brexit brigade was totally wrong about the attractions of post-Brexit Britain."

The former prime minister Conservative admitted that “we underestimated the magnetic pull of the UK” in attracting large numbers of low-skilled people after Brexit – but placed the blame on the Migration Advisory Committee.

Mr Johnson said: “You will remember that after Brexit, everyone was lamenting about European workers fleeing Britain, and businesses were worried about shortages. The Migration Advisory Committee therefore set the minimum [salary threshold] at just £26,000 – not much more than the living wage."

But this figure, he said, was “far too low”. He said Mr Sunak must now increase the minimum income for most migrants “to £40,000 or more”.

He added: “We have the power to fix this problem and change our immigration rules – which is exactly why the British people voted to take back these powers in 2016. We can do it now. »