David Cameron to hold ANOTHER emergency Cobra meeting as Calais migrant crisis deepens

David Cameron has called another emergency Cobra meeting to discuss the migrant crisis

DAVID Cameron has called another emergency meeting as the migrant chaos deepens in Calais.

 

The Prime Minister will chair the Government's Cobra committee today to help stop the crisis in the French port town spiralling out of control.

He is set to ask ministers and officials to see whether more can be done to address the situation at the port and the Channel Tunnel railhead at Coquelles.

The meeting comes after Mr Cameron blamed the chaos at Calais on a "swarm" of migrants crossing the Mediterranean and travelling through Europe.

He made the comments on the final day of a four-day tour of south-east Asia.

 

Mr Cameron has blamed the chaos on a "swarm" of migrants

 

Calais was again swept up in chaos last night – increasing fears that the UK will be pushed to breaking point as more migrants cross the Channel.

Up to 100 migrants roared as they stormed through police lines at a petrol station near the terminal to gain access to the tunnel last night.

Baton-wielding French officers failed to prevent the migrants from bringing the road out of the tunnel in Coquelles to a standstill.

They watched helplessly as a group of teenage migrants climbed over a fence but later came back when they realised they had hit a dead end.

 

Afterwards Eurotunnel said its French platform was unavailable due to "security reasons".

A spokesman said: "Due to overnight activity around our French Terminal, timetables are disrupted from both directions."

But the Prime Minister has resisted calls for the army to be deployed

 

Speaking in Vietnam yesterday, Mr Cameron claimed the UK was investing in security measures at the Channel crossings in Calais and Coquelles.

But the Government has resisted calls by Ukip leader Nigel Farage for the army to be deployed.

Mr Farage said: "In all civil emergencies like this we have an army, we have a bit of a TA and we have a very, very overburdened police force and border agency.

"If in a crisis to make sure we've actually got the manpower to check lorries coming in to stop people illegally coming to Britain if in those circumstances we can use the army or other forces then why not.

 

"This situation is serious. There are no easy answers... What we have to send is a message to say this can't happen."   

Niquel Farage

 

Paul Carter, leader of Kent County Council, has met Home Office officials to discuss the impact of hundreds of children arriving unaccompanied at the port of Dover.

Mr Carter said the "massive logistical exercise" of supporting migrants aged under 18 has left the council with a £5.5million funding gap.

He said: "If they are under 18 we have to care and provide for them.

"About a year ago it was running at about 238 unaccompanied minors under the age of 18 that we were supporting.

"That is now well over 600 and rising day by day, week by week."