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| Version 15 | Version 16 |
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| Calais refugee camp: Almost 1,000 bussed out as clearance operation begins – live | Calais refugee camp: Almost 1,000 bussed out as clearance operation begins – live |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 2.31pm BST | |
| 14:31 | |
| Geoffrey Cox QC, MP for Torridge and West Devon, has welcomed the arrival of the refugees in Devon. The Press Association is carrying his comments: | |
| I strongly believe that this country must respond compassionately to the plight of children caught up in the dangerous situation that has been allowed to develop in Calais. | |
| It is right that the county council has agreed to help and I have been assured by ministers that the council will receive all the financial and logistical support necessary to ensure that the services they need will be provided to these vulnerable young people while they wait to join their families already in the UK or to take up a permanent placement in the National Transfer Scheme. | |
| 2.24pm BST | |
| 14:24 | |
| For many of those facing eviction from the Calais camp today, this will not be the first time they’ve been forcibly moved on. Among them are hundreds of Oromo Ethiopians, who accuse the government in their home country of seizing their land in exchange for paltry compensation, then selling it off to foreign firms. | |
| The Thomson Reuters Foundation, the charitable arm of Thomson Reuters that covers humanitarian news, women’s rights, trafficking, corruption and climate change, has the story (which I’ve edited slightly for length): | |
| “When we went to demonstrations they killed many people, they arrested many people, they put in jail many people. So we had to escape from the country,” said Solan, a 26-year-old from Addis Ababa. | |
| The former science student left Ethiopia in 2014 after his family was forcibly evicted from the land they had lived on for generations, he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation. Now Solan and hundreds of his fellow Oromo in the Jungle face eviction once again. | |
| Most migrants in the camp have made their way to Calais because they want to reach Britain, and make regular attempts to sneak aboard trucks or trains bound for the UK. | |
| Groups like the Oromo say they have a particular reason for doing so. They are worried France won’t grant them asylum because it doesn’t recognise them as persecuted, based on the experience of others who have been rejected. | |
| The U.N. refugee agency UNHCR said everyone in the Calais camp would be offered the chance to be transferred to a reception centre where they could apply for asylum. “There will be no blanket decisions for certain nationalities,” spokeswoman Laura Padoan said. | |
| French asylum chief Pascal Brice recently visited the Jungle and offered reassurances to the migrants and refugees, including the Oromo group, said Solan. Brice was not available for comment when the Thomson Reuters Foundation contacted his office on Monday. | |
| “If they accept us we want to stay here (in France),” said Solan, who did not want to give his full name. “We are not searching for a better country, we are here (in Calais) because England accepts Oromo people.” | |
| Solan has been moving back and forth between Calais and a makeshift migrant camp in Paris for the past year, he said. In that time many other Oromo have come and gone from Calais - some as young as 12 or as old as 65. Many lose hope of reaching Britain and instead go to the Netherlands or Germany, he said. | |
| “I am asking for everybody to stay with us, to support us, to save our children, to save our home, to save our story, to save our land,” he said. | |
| 2.12pm BST | |
| 14:12 | |
| Tim Farron, leader of the Liberal Democrats, has pre-empted the Commons statement by the home secretary, Amber Rudd, with his own statement demanding she make clear how many children Britain will take from the camp. | |
| It is unbelievable that the day before demolition is due to take place, our Government still can’t tell us how many children we will take and when they will arrive. | |
| The Home Secretary must clarify this in her statement to Parliament today and take this opportunity to rebuild Britain’s reputation as a compassionate and caring country. | |
| The UK Government has a moral responsibility to ensure that all vulnerable children are either transferred to the UK or moved to places of safety before camp clearance starts. | |
| 2.08pm BST | |
| 14:08 | |
| Youth charities scathing over treatment of children | |
| Lisa O'Carroll | |
| Youth charities working in Calais amid the eviction have been scathing about the failure to safeguard children earlier, Lisa O’Carroll reports. There are an estimated 1,000 in the camp, and reports that just a few hundred were registered and bussed away by lunchtime. | |
| Some voiced concerns that French authorities did not give the unaccompanied children sufficient support with many expected to make the mile long journey from the camp to the processing centre on their own. | |
| Michael McHugh, a volunteer who has worked in the camp for seven months with Refugee Youth Service, stood at the gates of the container camp fielding questions from disoriented teenagers. He said: | |
| There’s has been a very rapid attempt by the French and UK governments to do their homework on the back of the bus. They seem to be moving the kids because of the demolition and fixing the timetable and scale operation around that and not the children. | |
| The question should be ‘when can we demolish the site’ and the answer should be ‘once we have the children cleared’ - not the other way round. | |
| There’s a rush and France has fixed the deadline and everything is slotted round that. I am so worried for these children. They trust us adults here and yet we don’t have the answers. What is going to happen to them. | |
| McHugh, who spoke to the Guardian in between trying to find someone to accompany 13-year-old boy from Eritrea to the processing centre, was sat shivering on a sand ridge when a phone call came through to say there was pushing an shoving in the children’s queue. | |
| He and his colleagues decided it was unsafe to send the boy, who was wearing a badge with a line struck through an icon of a camera to try and stop him being photographed getting on or off buses. | |
| Inside the processing centre there were four queues - adults, families, the vulnerable and disabled, and children. The queue for children seemed least organised, moving slowly with pushing and shoving at points. | |
| Adults, on the other hand, were being processed swiftly, shown a map of French regions and asked where they would like to go. They were registered with one wrist band and then given a second to indicate what region they would go to. | |
| Major Nurzei came through the other end cheering and banging a traditional drum loudly. He was thrilled to be going to Normandy with eight friends from the same town. | |
| Nine men from same village in Afghanistan. Guy with drum had his tongue cut off and fingers broken by Daesh, he said pic.twitter.com/dF0wQb0ySM | |
| Sticking out his tongue he explained Daesh had cut the tip of his tongue and broken his fingers. He was very happy to start a new life. And he was definitely staying in France. “England is finished,” he said. “We don’t want to go to the UK anymore.” | |
| Another of his group said: “UK is no good, too much of a headache. They don’t give us a chance. I like France. The UK take the children but they don’t want the adults, but we can’t go back to our country.” | |
| 1.45pm BST | 1.45pm BST |
| 13:45 | 13:45 |
| French officials have been at pains to insist that the eviction operation was proceeding, as interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve put it, “in a calm and orderly manner.” | French officials have been at pains to insist that the eviction operation was proceeding, as interior minister Bernard Cazeneuve put it, “in a calm and orderly manner.” |
| These pictures show the latest scenes from the queues waiting to enter processing centres. | These pictures show the latest scenes from the queues waiting to enter processing centres. |
| 1.22pm BST | 1.22pm BST |
| 13:22 | 13:22 |
| Calais evictees 'distressed by lack of information' | Calais evictees 'distressed by lack of information' |
| Carmen Fishwick | Carmen Fishwick |
| Carmen Fishwick has been speaking to charity workers on the ground in Calais. Volunteers working closely with the camp’s registration process warn that a lack of information in the camp is causing psychological distress, as fears over the safety of refugees grows, she writes. | Carmen Fishwick has been speaking to charity workers on the ground in Calais. Volunteers working closely with the camp’s registration process warn that a lack of information in the camp is causing psychological distress, as fears over the safety of refugees grows, she writes. |
| Charity worker Tina Brocklebank, of L’Auberge des Migrants, part of the umbrella organisationHelp Refugees, is working in the registration area. She says that considerable number of people, wary of registering with authorities, have already left the camp. | Charity worker Tina Brocklebank, of L’Auberge des Migrants, part of the umbrella organisationHelp Refugees, is working in the registration area. She says that considerable number of people, wary of registering with authorities, have already left the camp. |
| My friend just got to Paris, but now he is worried he shouldn’t have gone. He knows he can’t come back to Calais now. He will stay with another friend now on the streets under a bridge in Paris. It was an impossible decision for him, people just don’t have enough information | My friend just got to Paris, but now he is worried he shouldn’t have gone. He knows he can’t come back to Calais now. He will stay with another friend now on the streets under a bridge in Paris. It was an impossible decision for him, people just don’t have enough information |
| Despite the clear-out beginning in a peaceful fashion, charity workers report that there is mounting confusion and anxiety in camp with refugees uncertain about what is going to happen. Brocklebank added: | Despite the clear-out beginning in a peaceful fashion, charity workers report that there is mounting confusion and anxiety in camp with refugees uncertain about what is going to happen. Brocklebank added: |
| I have so many friends calling me for information, asking what is happening. They are asking me if they’re going to detention centres. People fear they won’t be able to leave the accommodation being provided by the authorities. There are a lot of reservations. | I have so many friends calling me for information, asking what is happening. They are asking me if they’re going to detention centres. People fear they won’t be able to leave the accommodation being provided by the authorities. There are a lot of reservations. |
| 1.10pm BST | 1.10pm BST |
| 13:10 | 13:10 |
| Another 20 children, all male, who had come from the camp in Calais arrived in Devon on Monday, the region’s county council said. | Another 20 children, all male, who had come from the camp in Calais arrived in Devon on Monday, the region’s county council said. |
| A temporary Home Office facility has been set up to help with the number of at-risk youngsters being transferred from the ramshackle site. | A temporary Home Office facility has been set up to help with the number of at-risk youngsters being transferred from the ramshackle site. |
| Up to 70 young people can be housed in emergency accommodation secured in the area, the council said on Sunday. | Up to 70 young people can be housed in emergency accommodation secured in the area, the council said on Sunday. |
| 1.04pm BST | 1.04pm BST |
| 13:04 | 13:04 |
| Home Secretary Amber Rudd will make a statement on unaccompanied children in Calais in the House of Commons at about 430pm. | Home Secretary Amber Rudd will make a statement on unaccompanied children in Calais in the House of Commons at about 430pm. |
| There will also be questions in the House of Lords at 230pm. We’ll bring them to you as they happen. | There will also be questions in the House of Lords at 230pm. We’ll bring them to you as they happen. |
| 12.53pm BST | 12.53pm BST |
| 12:53 | 12:53 |
| We mentioned earlier that the transfer of Calais children to Britain has been “temporarily paused” at the request of French authorities due to the camp clearance. | We mentioned earlier that the transfer of Calais children to Britain has been “temporarily paused” at the request of French authorities due to the camp clearance. |
| The charity Safe Passage UK tweets: | The charity Safe Passage UK tweets: |
| We are taking our children to another entrance to avoid this #Calais pic.twitter.com/JRFLgd4lRY | We are taking our children to another entrance to avoid this #Calais pic.twitter.com/JRFLgd4lRY |
| 12.44pm BST | 12.44pm BST |
| 12:44 | 12:44 |
| 900 migrants depart Calais | 900 migrants depart Calais |
| The number of migrants who have left the Calais camp today continues to rise, according to BBC News producer Piers Scholfield: | The number of migrants who have left the Calais camp today continues to rise, according to BBC News producer Piers Scholfield: |
| Now up to 900 departed on 23 buses. #Calais | Now up to 900 departed on 23 buses. #Calais |
| #Calais prefect says 60 buses should leave today. Would be approx 2,500 people if they continue at the same rate. | #Calais prefect says 60 buses should leave today. Would be approx 2,500 people if they continue at the same rate. |
| 12.36pm BST | 12.36pm BST |
| 12:36 | 12:36 |
| Angelique Chrisafis has tweeted this picture from Calais: | Angelique Chrisafis has tweeted this picture from Calais: |
| #calais afghans waiting 4 bus to pays de loire, had board game of how to get to UK, would apply for asylum in France pic.twitter.com/xVR0OY6M8v | #calais afghans waiting 4 bus to pays de loire, had board game of how to get to UK, would apply for asylum in France pic.twitter.com/xVR0OY6M8v |
| 12.31pm BST | 12.31pm BST |
| 12:31 | 12:31 |
| The Tory MP for Dover, Charlie Elphicke, fears a surge of migrants will try to cross the Channel after the Calais camp is finally closed. | The Tory MP for Dover, Charlie Elphicke, fears a surge of migrants will try to cross the Channel after the Calais camp is finally closed. |
| A vocal opponent of the sprawling site, he says border security must now be stepped up: “People will be more desperate than ever to see if they can break into Britain.” | A vocal opponent of the sprawling site, he says border security must now be stepped up: “People will be more desperate than ever to see if they can break into Britain.” |
| He welcomed the creation of an immigration “gold command” in Kent: “It shows that the authorities are taking the risk seriously and I hope the dismantling of the ‘jungle’ continues to go off peacefully as it has so far.” | He welcomed the creation of an immigration “gold command” in Kent: “It shows that the authorities are taking the risk seriously and I hope the dismantling of the ‘jungle’ continues to go off peacefully as it has so far.” |
| Elphicke’s constituency could become the first calling point for migrants seeking to enter the UK following calls last week from French presidential hopeful Alain Juppe for the border to be moved back to the British side of the Channel. | Elphicke’s constituency could become the first calling point for migrants seeking to enter the UK following calls last week from French presidential hopeful Alain Juppe for the border to be moved back to the British side of the Channel. |
| “Whatever happens, we need to be prepared for every eventuality and we need to take control. That means we need to invest in the Dover controls, intelligence, security on the English channel, as well as better roads to Dover,” the MP said. “It is in the interests of Dover and Calais that Britain and France work together to end the Calais migrant magnet.” | “Whatever happens, we need to be prepared for every eventuality and we need to take control. That means we need to invest in the Dover controls, intelligence, security on the English channel, as well as better roads to Dover,” the MP said. “It is in the interests of Dover and Calais that Britain and France work together to end the Calais migrant magnet.” |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.33pm BST | at 12.33pm BST |
| 12.10pm BST | 12.10pm BST |
| 12:10 | 12:10 |
| Home affairs editor Alan Travis is also monitoring events from London today: | Home affairs editor Alan Travis is also monitoring events from London today: |
| Home Office say the transfer of Calais children to Britain has been 'temporarily paused' at French request due to camp clearance | Home Office say the transfer of Calais children to Britain has been 'temporarily paused' at French request due to camp clearance |
| 11.57am BST | 11.57am BST |
| 11:57 | 11:57 |
| Angelique Chrisafis | Angelique Chrisafis |
| Angelique Chrisafis is also inside the processing centre hangar. She reports that for some people the choice of destination is more or less arbitrary. | Angelique Chrisafis is also inside the processing centre hangar. She reports that for some people the choice of destination is more or less arbitrary. |
| #calais a lone Sudanese man who doesn't know France picks Normandy on a map, gets blue wristband, waits for bus | #calais a lone Sudanese man who doesn't know France picks Normandy on a map, gets blue wristband, waits for bus |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.57am BST | at 11.57am BST |
| 11.51am BST | 11.51am BST |
| 11:51 | 11:51 |
| Lisa O'Carroll | Lisa O'Carroll |
| We’ve just been given access to the hangar where migrants are being asked to queue up for their place on a bus and hopefully a fresh start on life, Lisa O’Carroll reports. | We’ve just been given access to the hangar where migrants are being asked to queue up for their place on a bus and hopefully a fresh start on life, Lisa O’Carroll reports. |
| While it is quite intense it is orderly. Migrants are shown a map of the regions of France and asked to say where they want to go. This man is happy with Normandy. | While it is quite intense it is orderly. Migrants are shown a map of the regions of France and asked to say where they want to go. This man is happy with Normandy. |
| 11.47am BST | 11.47am BST |
| 11:47 | 11:47 |
| The port of Calais, the closest point between Britain and continental Europe, has for more than 15 years been a magnet for refugees and migrants who want to start a new life in this country. | The port of Calais, the closest point between Britain and continental Europe, has for more than 15 years been a magnet for refugees and migrants who want to start a new life in this country. |
| Here is a potted history of some major episodes in the development of the migrant camps around the city. | Here is a potted history of some major episodes in the development of the migrant camps around the city. |
| 11.34am BST | 11.34am BST |
| 11:34 | 11:34 |
| 600 people bussed away from Calais camp by 11.30am | 600 people bussed away from Calais camp by 11.30am |
| By 11:30, 600 refugees & migrants had left by bus to places including burgundy, north eastern France, western France #calais | By 11:30, 600 refugees & migrants had left by bus to places including burgundy, north eastern France, western France #calais |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.35am BST | at 11.35am BST |
| 11.31am BST | 11.31am BST |
| 11:31 | 11:31 |
| Our reporters have arrived back at the processing queues and say that all is now calm in the area. We will keep an eye on the situation. | Our reporters have arrived back at the processing queues and say that all is now calm in the area. We will keep an eye on the situation. |
| 11.24am BST | 11.24am BST |
| 11:24 | 11:24 |
| The Press Association has filed a few lines on the unrest among people waiting to be processed and transferred away from Calais. Details of what is happening are still very patchy, but according to this PA update from just after 11am: | The Press Association has filed a few lines on the unrest among people waiting to be processed and transferred away from Calais. Details of what is happening are still very patchy, but according to this PA update from just after 11am: |
| Dozens of riot police marched in to control the queue, as people started to push and shove at the front just before midday. | Dozens of riot police marched in to control the queue, as people started to push and shove at the front just before midday. |
| While a few punches were thrown in scuffles, most of the crowd waited patiently inside the barriers which police then spread out to give them more space. | While a few punches were thrown in scuffles, most of the crowd waited patiently inside the barriers which police then spread out to give them more space. |
| Police have formed a barrier to prevent people queuing from behind from joining the fray until the situation becomes less volatile. | Police have formed a barrier to prevent people queuing from behind from joining the fray until the situation becomes less volatile. |
| Our video team has taken the footage from the tweet below and republished it the right way round. | Our video team has taken the footage from the tweet below and republished it the right way round. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.59pm BST | at 12.59pm BST |