Migrants Try To Cross The Channel On Inflatable Boats (Image: Getty)
Migrants are treating Britain like it is “El Dorado”, ministers have been warned.
The mayor of the French town where five asylum seekers died on Sunday blamed Britain’s benefits system for thousands to cross the Channel.
Jean-Luc Dubaele, the Mayor of Wimereux, said England must “be less of an El Dorado for migrants who arrive” after five Syrians died in French waters.
The comments prompted fury from campaigners and Tory MPs who accused the French politician of passing the buck.
Alp Mehmet, Chair of Migration Watch, told the Daily Express: “Well we are clearly attractive but more because you can get here and stay even if you are rejected. You can say that you can live in comfort while you wait for your ticket to El Dorado. Unless of course the French would like us to destroy our way of life to become less attractive to would-be immigrants.”
The group of asylum seekers perished in icy water off the beach at Wimereux, the northern resort near Boulogne-sur-Mer.
They were part of a group of some 76 people, including pregnant mothers and children, who were using crafts provided by people smugglers.
Dozens were also pulled from the water during overnight rescue efforts.
Conservative MP Tim Loughton, who sits on the Home Affairs Select Committee, said: “This is a completely false impression that the French have about the financial support available in the UK and dangerously they have done little to dispel this delusion from migrants trying to get to the UK illegally.”
“Benefit levels in France are more generous than in the UK though they are happy to leave migrants and especially children in makeshift encampments rather than dealing with their status in the country.”
“The UK also has some of the toughest laws on clamping down on employers and landlords accommodating illegal migrants yet again it suits the French to make their problem our problem rather than dealing with it at source for our mutual benefit.”
Former Immigration Minister Kevin Foster told the Daily Express: “Rather than throwing stones and making inaccurate claims, the real need is to agree for the returns to safe and democratic France of those who have left its shores and for French authorities to intercept boats in their waters, then return them to the French shore.”
“This would deal with the issue, and I hope these comments are a sign Monsieur Dubaele would agree on the urgent need for the French Government to agree such an approach.”
Dover MP Natalie Elphicke added: “This is obviously complete nonsense. The problem is that migrants are able to wander throughout Europe without any checks whatsoever – and then jump into a dingy on the French coast provided by criminal gangs that are able to operate with impunity by the French authorities.”
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“That’s why it’s high time there was a new and comprehensive channel security agreement to end these dangerous crossings for good.”
Some 139 migrants reached the UK on Sunday, after 124 crossed the Channel on Tuesday.
A source close to Home Secretary James Cleverly said: “Everything this Government is doing to stop the boats which has seen small boat arrivals down by 36% , whether our strategy to break the business model of the criminal people smuggling gangs, working with partners like the French Govt to frustrate launches, impound boats and engines, or persuading those who wish to cross that they are risking their lives, and savings to not stay in the U.K. with our Rwanda plan is about making it clear to anyone wanting to enter the U.K. illegally that any so called “El Dorado for migrants” does not exist.
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“We will continue to work with France on the work we are both doing to stop the boats.”
Jacques Billant, the Pas-de-Calais prefect said “A very intense period” of smuggling activity had been expected following some 26 days of bad weather.”
He added: “Four hundred migrants have been taken care of since the start of the weekend, 170 are still being sheltered, including many women and children, including infants.”
“We knew that this weekend was a favourable crossing window, even though there had not been one for many days due to the weather conditions. The current window should remain open until at least Wednesday.”
Mr Dubaele added: “I am angry, like all the mayors of neighbouring towns.”
“We are suffering from human trafficking.”
“At the political level, we will have to change the situation, and bang our fist on the table with the English.”
“Migrants today want to go to England because they are well received there, they can work there without problem.”
