The mayor of Calais has said she could block the port if Britain does not help deal with the hundreds of migrants sleeping rough in Calais hoping to gain illegal entry into the UK.
“I can take the decision to block the port. I have ways of exerting pressure,” Nathalie Bouchart said, while recognising that a blockade “would be illegal but I want a strong response today from Britain”.
She and France’s interior minister have decided to open a new day centre for the migrants and a night shelter for the women and children. An overnight unit for 400 adults was considered but dropped for fear it would be an even greater magnet for migrants.
Calais must fine €10 million a year to cope with the problems the migrants pose, Miss Bouchard said.
Some 1,300 souls, mostly Africans, are sleeping rough around the port and trying to stow away in lorries and ferries headed for the UK. Numbers are increasing weekly, especially from Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan and Afghanistan.
The mayor accused the British Government of demanding tough security measures be imposed in Calais while making no financial contribution. “For the past ten years, there has been zero response from the British Government,” she said.
The French interior minister also asked for a contribution from Britain to secure the port when he met last week with Home Secretary Teresa May.
