CALAIS CHAOS SET TO STRIKE

Fun ‘n Games for Her Maj Truckers plan migrant protest

THE Queen was the guest of honour at the annual Highland Games.

Her Majesty is the patron of the Braemar Royal Highland Gathering and she donned a smart purple outfit before sitting back to enjoy a string of events including the tug of war, inset.

Pipe bands and dancers also performed at the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park in Aberdeenshire.

Queen Victoria first attended the event in 1848 and reigning monarchs have regularly visited ever since. The Games take place on the first Saturday of every September, drawing fans from all around the world. FRENCH lorry drivers are threatening chaos in Calais tomorrow with a protest over the migrant crisis.

Shopkeepers, police and farmers are set to join them in calling for parts of the Jungle camp at the port to be demolished.

The protest, which will involve a human chain blocking the roads from Dunkirk and Boulogne into the city, is likely to disrupt British cross-Channel travellers.

Pressure has been growing on the French authorities to tackle the problem, which has seen the camp swelling in size in recent months.

Despite efforts to reduce numbers by dismantling the slum’s southern section earlier this year, up to 9,000 migrants from countries including BILL FRANCIS Sudan, Syria and Eritrea are living there in squalor.

Talks took place between demo organisers and the French interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve on Friday.

The Freight Transport Association (FTA) said it had spoken “at length once again” on Saturday morning with David Sagnard – one of the protest organisers.

But Mr Sagnard told them he is adamant that the blockade, dubbed Operation Snail, will still go ahead as planned.

According to the FTA, he said: “The meeting yesterday with Cazeneuve did not lead to any conclusions that the French hauliers could accept.

“We did not get anything new, and consider that what was said are empty promises with no timetables to actually clear the Jungle camp.

“Cazeneuve wasn’t convincing enough and so we will still go ahead with the protest.”

James Hookham, FTA deputy chief executive, said: “We are frustrated by the lamentable reaction of the French Government given the collapse of public order in the Calais region.”

Calais mayor Natacha Bouchart has pledged to turn out in support of the protesters on Monday.

But Dover Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke said: “Monday’s demonstration will achieve nothing other than chaos on the roads of France and Kent.”

Ferry companies, including P&O, are working with French authorities to ensure cross-Channel passengers will be safe to travel.