Calais migrant crisis: Foreign secretary Philip Hammond says government “has got a grip” on crisis
The government has a grip on the migrant crisis in Calais, the foreign secretary Philip Hammond has said, while David Cameron faces calls to return from his holiday.
Speaking after chairing a meeting of the government’s emergency committee, Cobra, Hammond confirmed the UK would commit 100 more guards to Calais’ Eurotunnel terminal.
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The foreign secretary also announced a “much improved level of cooperation and collaboration with Eurotunnel of the past 48 hours,” which has seen some trains cancelled or reversed.
The UK border force and French police will also now have a presence in the Eurotunnel control room from Monday evening, he said.
Measures currently in place "are already having an effect," Hammond added.
I think we have got a grip on the crisis. We saw a peak last week, since when the number of illegal migrants has tailed off.
We have taken a number of measures in collaboration with the French authorities and Eurotunnel which are already having an effect, and over the next day or two I would expect to have an even greater effect.
However, Hammond would not comment on whether the Prime Minister should cut his holiday short.
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The Road Haulage Association has called on David Cameron to return from his holiday and visit Calais to see the crisis first hand.