-
Advertisement
European Union
WorldEurope

France lashes out at Britain’s ideas on dealing with flow of migrants across English Channel

  • French President Emmanuel Macron ‘surprised by methods when they are not serious’ as the two countries clash yet again
  • Their relationship has been increasingly difficult in the wake of Britain leaving the EU after Brexit; they are also arguing about fishing licences

Reading Time:3 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
Activists and members of associations defending the rights of migrants next to a banner reading “309 dead on the France UK border since 1999” during a gathering outside the port of Calais in northern France, on Thursday. Children and pregnant women were among at least 27 migrants who died when their small boat sank in an attempted crossing of the English Channel this week. Photo: AP
Associated Press
France reacted with anger and dismay on Friday to Britain’s latest proposals for dealing with the deadly flow of migrants between their shores, ramping up a battle of wills over dangerous crossings of the English Channel that killed 27 people, including children, in a sinking this week.

President Emmanuel Macron scolded the office of Prime Minister Boris Johnson for making public a letter that the British leader sent to the French leader on Thursday. Most notably, Johnson proposed that France take back migrants who illegally cross the English Channel, an idea that France quickly and summarily dismissed.

A view of boats used by people thought to be migrants to cross the English Channel, stored at a storage facility near Dover in Kent, England, on November 26. France has reacted angrily to new British proposals for dealing with the deadly flow of migrants between their shores. Photo: via AP
A view of boats used by people thought to be migrants to cross the English Channel, stored at a storage facility near Dover in Kent, England, on November 26. France has reacted angrily to new British proposals for dealing with the deadly flow of migrants between their shores. Photo: via AP

“I am surprised by methods when they are not serious,” Macron said during a visit to Italy. “You don’t communicate from a leader to another on these matters via tweets and letters that are made public. We are not whistle-blowers.”

Advertisement

“Come on, come on,” Macron added.

Asked at a daily media briefing if Johnson regretted sending and then sharing the letter on social media, his spokesman said “no”.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Select Voice
Choose your listening speed
Get through articles 2x faster
1.25x
250 WPM
Slow
Average
Fast
1.25x