French officials demand UK cracks down on British charities that help migrants ... trends now
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French officials have demanded a crackdown on British-based charities they accuse of ‘constantly frustrating’ attempts to intercept Channel migrants.
Authorities in northern France have expressed concerns about UK-funded organisations and handed a dossier of evidence to British counterparts, the Mail understands.
They have also requested urgent action to curtail the charities’ activities, a diplomatic source said.
In some cases the French accuse charities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) of assisting migrants in their journeys to the UK.
Several hundred migrants are thought to have crossed the Channel yesterday, after Sunday witnessed the highest number of arrivals so far this year with 442
For example, volunteers are alleged to have acted as ‘spotters’ on the French coastline to direct migrants away from beach patrols so they can launch dinghies without being intercepted.
‘The French have raised very strong concerns with our government about British-based NGOs in northern France,’ the source said.
‘They are mightily p***** off. There is constant frustration of the process to stop illegal immigration by migrants who set off from northern France.
British officials are understood to have told their French counterparts they would support any decision to deny entry to any charity workers who they believe have been breaking the law
In some cases the French accuse charities and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) of assisting migrants in their journeys to the UK
‘The French have handed evidence over and said “Please stop it”. But there is only a limited amount the UK can do, because this is taking place on French
