MPs fury as French boast they’ve forced Britain into coughing up more money in order to renew the Calais border agreement
Sources in Paris said the UK had also agreed to take in more refugees
MPs erupted in fury last night after the French boasted they had forced Britain into coughing up more money and agreeing to take in more refugees in order to renew the Calais border agreement.
Senior Tory MP Tim Loughton warned the UK had already spent a whopping £100m over the last three years that was arguably “not our liability”.
It followed claims from Paris sources that President Macron had managed to “strong arm” Britain into a deal.
Last night Dover MP Charlie Elphicke blasted: “British taxpayers are fed up of the French constantly demanding more money to help police their borders.
“We’ve already handed over millions to bolster security in Calais and dismantle the Jungle migrant camp.
“It’s time President Macron and his team got a grip of the situation - rather than keep asking us for more cash.”
Theresa May will meet the French President for a summit on Thursday after he visits Calais for the first time.
Sources at the Elysee Palace claimed British officials had agreed changes to the Le Touquet agreement were needed, including more cash which could run to tens of millions.
Under the current deal British customs officers carry out their border checks on the French side of the Channel, with French officials doing the same here. But Mr Macron has vowed to renegotiate the deal, signed back in 2003 and unchanged since then.
Senior French politicians are also reportedly pressing for the UK to receive more refugees from the region including unaccompanied children.More than 750 children have been transferred to Britain since the camp was shut down.
Last night Mr Loughton insisted British taxpayers had already “invested heavily” in border security around Calais. He said: “British taxpayers, Eurotunnel and others have invested heavily in fortifying and policing the French side of the border, which arguably should not have been our liability, and this again has greatly benefited our French neighbours.
“Any attempts to dilute the Le Touquet arrangements by France would be a massive case of cutting off the French nose to spite the French face given the massive disparity between EU traded goods heading north rather than UK exports heading south.”
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Asked whether the UK was expecting a request from France at this week’s summit for more financial support for Calais, Prime Minister Theresa May’s official spokesman declined to speculate.
He said: “This is an agreement which has served both sides well since its inception.
“We have provided help already, in the form of additional security measures and also we have put in place schemes in order to take minors from Calais and to find them homes here.”