Greeks urge migrant deal
ence of British business and industry, should have paid quite a heavy price, it seems from what’s happened, for sharing that optimistic view.”
Government officials yesterday rejected claims Downing Street had put pressure on the business group.
A Downing Street spokesman said: “Given that 60 per cent of its members say they want to stay in the EU, Number 10 was surprised to see the director general of the organisation come out for Brexit.
“We are clear no pressure was put on the BCC to suspend him. Of course No10 talks to business organisations regularly, but, to be clear – no pressure was applied. This decision is entirely a matter for the chamber.”
But former Tory Cabinet minister Liam Fox said he was ready to raise the issue of Mr Longworth’s suspension in the Commons this week.
Dr Fox said: “I want an explanation as to what happened, and I want to know if any part of Government – not just No10, any part of Government – was involved in putting pressure on the BCC to drop John Longworth because I think that is inappropriate and I think if we don’t get enough explanation we’ll have to get a better one on the floor of the Commons.” IF the European Union cannot strike a deal with Turkey at an emergency summit today, Greece will struggle to hold back crowds of migrants at its borders, Athens’ minister for public order, has warned.
Nikolaos Toskas said: “They will find ways to go, so the only way is to co- operate in a comprehensive way.
“We are keeping almost the entire police force and army at the borders, but it is very difficult to control sea borders and mountainous terrain.”
His message came ahead of talks which aim to find a way to halt tens of thousands of migrants descending on Europe via Greece.
Any agreement will most likely see Turkey take back all economic migrants in Greece, in return for the EU agreeing to house Syrian refugees directly from Turkish camps.
With 30,000 migrants at the Macedonian border alone, Mr Toskas said other European countries had to take their share. Greece “cannot be the ‘ black hole’ of Europe”.