This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-kent-36567396
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| French authorities stop aid convoy at Dover | French authorities stop aid convoy at Dover |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A convoy of aid intended for migrants in Calais has been stopped at the Port of Dover by the French authorities. | A convoy of aid intended for migrants in Calais has been stopped at the Port of Dover by the French authorities. |
| The 250 vehicles including lorries, cars and motorcycles, which earlier set off from Westminster, had hoped to board a ferry at 14:00 BST. | The 250 vehicles including lorries, cars and motorcycles, which earlier set off from Westminster, had hoped to board a ferry at 14:00 BST. |
| Kent Police said it had been notified by the French authorities the convoy had been refused entry to France. | Kent Police said it had been notified by the French authorities the convoy had been refused entry to France. |
| "No agency within the United Kingdom has any grounds to challenge this decision," it said in a statement. | "No agency within the United Kingdom has any grounds to challenge this decision," it said in a statement. |
| The convoy, organised by a number of campaign groups including the People's Assembly and Stop the War Coalition, made the decision to set off from outside the Houses of Parliament at 09:00, despite a public order injunction being taken out by the authorities in Calais. | |
| 'Heightened security' | |
| A spokesman for the People's Assembly said the convoy was separated from the rest of ferry traffic when it arrived in Dover. | |
| "A few cars have made it to France but they are being stopped there apparently," said Steve Sweeney. | |
| Mr Sweeney said organisers had been told the ban was to do with heightened security in France. | |
| He said they had been organising the convoy for six months and accused Kent Police of colluding with their French counterparts to prevent them from crossing. | |
| "Kent Police were taking down our number plates when we stopped on the way here," he said. | |
| "We're now holding a rally." | |
| A Kent Police spokesman said the refusal of entry to France was a matter for the French authorities. | |
| "Kent Police is working with partner agencies in planning a policing response to minimise any disruption to the community, businesses and the public." | "Kent Police is working with partner agencies in planning a policing response to minimise any disruption to the community, businesses and the public." |
| The Port of Dover said the protesters began heading back to their vehicles and returning to London after the stand-off with the French border authorities. |