Calais strike is now a security hazard

AS INDUSTRIAL disputes go, the impact of direct action doesn’t get much more effective than we have witnessed at Calais in recent days. Yesterday, striking ferry workers once again brought the port to a standstill – and created a serious security risk – causing Eurotunnel rail services to be suspended after setting fire to tyres on the train tracks at the tunnel entrance.

From lorry drivers to families heading off for a summer holiday, there was no option but to wait, or abandon plans. There is no end date for the industrial action, to give light at the end of the tunnel.

A meeting of the UK government’s emergency committee Cobra was held this week, but neither the British nor the French authorities appear able – or willing – to take control of this situation. No-one wants to take responsibility, although there is plenty of blame flying around.

And we should be in no doubt, this is now a matter of responsibility. We have seen already the dangers posed by desperate migrants who last week took advantage of slow-moving traffic to seek illicit passage to the UK as stowaways. Since then, international security concerns have heightened dramatically following events in Tunisia, Kuwait, and France itself.

An out-of-control situation at an international border overrun with thousands of migrants is a security risk that Europe could do without right now.

The striking Calais ferry workers – who are upset over the sale of vessels to a rival firm – made their point last week, gaining maximum publicity. Right now is not the time to pull this trick again.