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| Hundreds of far-right protesters demonstrate against migrants as tensions rise in Calais | Hundreds of far-right protesters demonstrate against migrants as tensions rise in Calais |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Hundreds of far-right demonstrators rallied yesterday in Calais to demand the port city be “saved” from homeless migrants, as tensions continued to escalate. | Hundreds of far-right demonstrators rallied yesterday in Calais to demand the port city be “saved” from homeless migrants, as tensions continued to escalate. |
| The ‘Save Calais’ demonstration clashed with left-wing supporters as around 300 French riot police were called in to maintain peace, putting more pressure on Calais’ authorities already struggling to cope with increasing numbers of migrants. | The ‘Save Calais’ demonstration clashed with left-wing supporters as around 300 French riot police were called in to maintain peace, putting more pressure on Calais’ authorities already struggling to cope with increasing numbers of migrants. |
| Last week mayor Natacha Bouchart threatened to close the port – an illegal act – in a bid to pressure Britain into offering additional help. | Last week mayor Natacha Bouchart threatened to close the port – an illegal act – in a bid to pressure Britain into offering additional help. |
| Calais’ centre-right mayor Bouchart, who complained the influx of migrants were ruining the town’s image and draining resources from local residents, also said the migrants view Britain as “El Dorado”. | Calais’ centre-right mayor Bouchart, who complained the influx of migrants were ruining the town’s image and draining resources from local residents, also said the migrants view Britain as “El Dorado”. |
| A video captured last week appeared to show around 100 migrants breaking through security measures in an attempt to board a ferry bound for Britain. | A video captured last week appeared to show around 100 migrants breaking through security measures in an attempt to board a ferry bound for Britain. |
| An estimated 1,300 homeless migrants, mostly from the Horn of Africa, Sudan and Afghanistan and many of whom speak limited English, live in Calais in the hope of traveling to Britain. | An estimated 1,300 homeless migrants, mostly from the Horn of Africa, Sudan and Afghanistan and many of whom speak limited English, live in Calais in the hope of traveling to Britain. |
| This morning Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper commented: “This situation is turning into a crisis and the Government needs to do more”. | This morning Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper commented: “This situation is turning into a crisis and the Government needs to do more”. |
| In an effort to contain the migrants, the 9ft-high steel fences used at the recent Nato summit are being sent to Calais to help French authorities. | In an effort to contain the migrants, the 9ft-high steel fences used at the recent Nato summit are being sent to Calais to help French authorities. |
| A man hold a banner which reads "Migrants equal insecurity, unhealthiness and economic disaster" in Calais | |
| Immigration minister James Brokenshire said the fence, labelled the ‘iron ring’, would remind migrants that Britain is “no soft touch”. | Immigration minister James Brokenshire said the fence, labelled the ‘iron ring’, would remind migrants that Britain is “no soft touch”. |
| But last week Michael Howard claimed Bouchart was “directing her frustration and her anger at the wrong target". | |
| Speaking on the Today programme, Lord Howard said that while he did have “some sympathy” with Calais, France should be ‘taking more seriously its obligation to process asylum seekers’. | Speaking on the Today programme, Lord Howard said that while he did have “some sympathy” with Calais, France should be ‘taking more seriously its obligation to process asylum seekers’. |
| The tensions come at a time of rising extremism within France. | The tensions come at a time of rising extremism within France. |
| A recent poll, published in the Financial Times, showed Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right National Front, would beat struggling incumbent president Hollande were France to go to the polling station. | A recent poll, published in the Financial Times, showed Marine Le Pen, leader of France’s far-right National Front, would beat struggling incumbent president Hollande were France to go to the polling station. |
| The next French election is in 2017. | The next French election is in 2017. |