A couple from Kent have hit out at UK Border Force after being fined for unknowingly transporting two illegal migrants through Calais in their camper van.
Lisa Russell and Jeff Evans have branded the move "disgusting" and are objecting to the fine, which was issued to them "via email" following the ordeal during their holiday to France in October.
Speaking to GB News host Ben Leo, Russell and Evans recalled being stopped by Border Force after two Sundanese migrants were found hiding in their van.
Russell explained: "We went on a three-night trip in the October half term to Calais. On our way back from our camping trip, we stopped at Cité Europe for something to do. On the way back, we had a lady stood by our van, and she had said that there were some people hanging around the back of our van trying to steal our bikes.
"We checked all three bikes were on our rack, and then proceeded to Calais port because actually we felt a bit uneasy then. So once at Calais Port, we got called into immigration for our van to be checked, and we did expect that. But they came round to the side door and checked in the van under the van, everywhere and all around the van, and then proceeded to send us off and say that we could go."
However, Russell told GB News that just as we were pulling away, the officers told them "you have two clandestine under your bikes, on your bike rack, under the bike cover."
A couple from Kent were fined £3,000 after discovering two migrants had snuck into their van
GB News
The couple told Ben that the migrants were two males, one of adult age and a 15-year-old. They revealed that after the migrants were found in van, they were simply "let go" by the authorities.
Russell said: "They were really nice to us and explained everything that was going on, but we had to stay there while the clandestines were interviewed. Then they just got taken outside the port and let go to try this another day.
"They get processed and then probably let back out the other side of France, outside the port. And then we were sent on our way with them saying we understand you didn't know they were under there, you're not going to get a fine for this."
Despite being assured they would not be fined, the couple received an email from the authorities, notifying them of a £3,000 fine for transporting the migrants in their van - unknowingly.
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Two illegal Sudanese migrants were found in the couple's van when returning to the UK from Calais
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Russell explained: "About a month ago, we received an email to say that we have a £3,000 fine. It's disgusting and it's not fair.
"There's no warnings when you go over to Calais with your ferry ticket. We know to lock our vehicle and we did, but I looked on the Calais Port website, and there's no guidelines on where the immigrants could get in. And so it's very unfair."
When asked by Ben what their next steps are in fighting the fine, the couple revealed that they have "objected" the fine and will need to "appeal" if the objection is rejected.
They said: "The first part of the process is to object the fine, which we have done. And then if we're not successful with that, then you have to appeal. The appeal process is quite complicated, and if we're not successful in our appeal, then we also have to pay the costs of the Border Force.
The couple told GB News that they are objecting to the fine and launching an appeal
GB News
"It just seems like bully-type tactics of trying to make an easy buck, and it says on the paperwork that our vehicle could be seized."
Criticising how they've been treated by Border Force and the Home Office, the couple concluded that Britons are "not being protected" in these situations, despite being on a "family holiday" with their seven-year-old son, who was left "really worried" by the ordeal.
They stated: "Talking about this to other people, we know this happens a lot. We're the victims and we're not being protected when we're going on a family holiday."
In a statement, a Home Office spokesperson told GB News: "We're fully committed to stopping people from illegally entering the country and cracking down on people smugglers, which is why the Clandestine Entrance Civil Penalty Scheme is there to ensure drivers take every reasonable step to deter irregular migration.
"We understand that recipients of penalties may disagree with the circumstances of the fine. The option to appeal and trigger a review is made clear in Supporting Documents."
