Calais ‘Jungle’ could move on to British soil with a Brexit

SHOULD THE UK vote to leave the EU then the relocation of the Calais refugee camp, nicknamed the ‘Jungle’ would relocate to Britain. This proposal has been put forward by France´s economy minister, Emmanuel Macron, who, in an interview with the Financial Times, warned that a Brexit would threaten the two way relationship the UK has with France. 

Currently the ´Le Touquet Agreement´ enables British authorities to handle border checks in France which keeps illegal migrants from ever entering the UK. Macron highlighted that this would most likely change should the UK leave the EU. 

Mr Macron continued: “The day this relationship unravels, migrants will no longer be in Calais and the financial passport would work less well,” 

He went on to discuss his belief that many financial workers from the EU would leave the capital when passport and working rights were no longer recognised.   

“If I were to reason like those who roll out red carpets, I would say we might have some repatriations from the City of London,” Mr Macron said.

Prime Minister David Cameron and President Francois Hollande are set to meet ahead of an Anglo-French summit to be held Amiens. 

Downing Street had previously made a matching statement to France´s economic minister last month, when it claimed the Calais camp could move to England’s south overnight if Britain leaves the EU.

The Prime Minister´s statement has been seen by some as “scaremongering over immigration”.

An attempt to shrink the size of the sprawling Calais camp was made earlier this week when demolition teams and riot officers started to clear away debris and tents.