New threat to British border as France builds first official refugee camp

Britain is facing a new threat to its border after France announced the construction of a “Sangatte”-style refugee camp less than 50 miles from Dover, prompting fears it will intensify the migrant crisis, The Telegraph reported on Friday.

A sprawling migrant centre – the first official camp in France for more than 13 years - will be built near an existing shanty town at Grande-Synthe, just five miles from the ferry port which links Dunkirk with the British coast.

The £1.1 million construction bill will be picked up by the French government, officials announced, and work is to start immediately with new facilities opening within weeks.

British MPs said it risked acting as a magnet for larger numbers of migrants who want to reach this country rather than settle in France.

The Home Office confirmed it had not been involved in the decision to open the first official refugee camp in France since the notorious Sangatte camp was closed in 2002 – seen at the time as a triumph of Anglo-French diplomacy.

Britain’s exclusion from discussions over the new camp will be seen as a deterioration of relations between the two countries over the migrant crisis.

Source: MENA