Calais to expel migrants
BRITAIN is to help the French deport illegal immigrants from Calais back to Africa amid fears of more Channel Tunnel chaos for holidaymakers.
Theresa May, the Home Secretary, last night described the repatriation scheme as an “important step forward”. She announced the agreement as Eurotunnel disclosed that 2,000 migrants had attempted to storm the French side of the Channel Tunnel overnight on Monday. Britain would also spend a further £7 million improving security at the Eurotunnel terminal at Coquelles, she said, bringing total extra spending commitments to £19 million.
Although there were no details of how the repatriation scheme would work, any attempt by the French to remove migrants would mark a significant change in policy. The French authorities have previously been criticised by MPs and British hauliers for simply freeing migrants who have been detained, allowing them to attempt
another crossing to Britain. About 4,000 migrants have gathered at a makeshift camp known as The Jungle outside the French port and many have made repeated attempts to cross the Channel.
Mrs May said: “We have had a constructive meeting with [French foreign minister] Bernard Cazeneuve and we have agreed on further work to ensure we can return migrants, particularly to West Africa, so we can help break the link between people making the perilous journey and thinking they can live in Britain. “It’s an important step forward.” Following the Anglo-French summit in London with Mr Cazeneuve and his officials, the two countries will also put more intelligence officers, police and other law enforcement agents on the ground in Calais to crack down on organised criminal gangs involved in people smuggling, she said.
A spokesman for Eurotunnel said Monday night’s incursion was the largest for many weeks. It was understood the migrants climbed over fencing at the perimeter of the Coquelles termi- nal in an attempt to board trains inside the huge complex.
P&O Ferries, was forced to issue a statement yesterday reassuring customers that the port of Calais was “safe and open for business”.
It said illegal migrants had not come into contact with passengers, and added: “We would like to reassure all tourist and freight customers … that the port is safe.” At the weekend the DFDS passenger ferry operator shut its Dover-Calais route after one of its ships was hit by a distress flare fired during industrial action by ferry workers.
British holidaymakers and freight lorries travelling through Calais face further travel chaos later this week after French ferry workers threatened another show of force.