Francois Hollande say Britain must do more to clear chaos of Calais migrant camp

A BITTER WAR over Calais exploded last night as Francois Hollande demanded Britain play a bigger part in clearing up the chaotic ‘Jungle’ migrant camp.

The moaning French President said that regardless of the Brexit vote, Britain had a duty take in more refugees massed in the French port and fork out millions more to fix the migrant camp mess.

On a visit to Calais, he said: “Just because the UK has taken a sovereign decision does not absolve it of its obligations towards France.

“I would say it’s the opposite.”

The blast drew an immediate slapdown from Theresa May as furious Downing Street aides said Britain had done a “huge amount”.

The UK Government has already committed £85 million to reinforcing security in and around the French port.

A Home Office spokesman stormed: “The dismantling of the camp in Calais is a matter for the French Government.”

And livid Tories accused Msr Hollande of blatant electioneering given his disastrous showing in early polls for next year’s Presidential Elections.

Former Cabinet Minister Iain Duncan Smith told the Sun that instead of complaining, the French should play by the rules and offer asylum to refugees as they cross into the country border –rather than waiving them through to the edge of the English Channel.

He said: “This is electioneering, flag-waiving. This Government has done a huge amount and is doing everything it can to help the French.”

Tim Loughton, the Tory interim head of the Commons Affairs Select Committee, added: “It has largely been down to considerable expenditure by the UK Border Force, Eurotunnel and ferry companies that more people have not embarked on the hazardous journey into the UK, whilst French authorities have effectively all too often turned a blind eye.

“President Hollande now has the cheek to say that the UK is not pulling its weight in assisting with a humanitarian crisis in France, which is entirely of its own making whichever EU or non-EU undertakings he cares to abide by.”

There are more than 10,000 migrants massed in and around Calais desperate to make their way across the Channel.

Work on a four metre high ‘Great Wall’ to stop migrants breaking onto a motorway heading to the port began this week- funded by the UK.

In Calais yesterday, President Hollande vowed the migrant camp would be taken down “definitely, entirely and rapidly” by the end of the year.

But he stormed: “I would like to express my determination to see the British authorities play their part in the humanitarian effort that France is carrying out here and will continue to carry out in the days to come.

“Just because the UK has taken a sovereign decision does not absolve it of its obligations towards France “

“I would say it’s the opposite. I’m calling on the UK authorities to do their full share today and tomorrow to support France in dealing with the immigration issue.”

“Requests will be made to the UK. The UK government has committed to some measures, especially on minors. These commitments must be respected and even increased as the Calais camp is being closed.”

Former French President Nicholas Sarkozy has made Calais the centre of his electioneering push ahead of next year’s vote – demanding migrant camps move across the Channel to the UK.

He signed the 2003 Le Touquet deal which allowed Britain to establish border controls in Calais – on French soil.

The French Government currently plans to redistribute the migrants massed in Calais across a string of new welcome centres throughout France.

Worried British hauliers claim the upcoming deadline will only make the migrants more desperate – and more violent – in their efforts to reach the UK.

The UK has pledged to take in “vulnerable children” from the Calais port.

But just last week the Prime Minister insisted Britain had no intention of widening the number of refugees it resettles under its current schemes to help Syrians forced from their homes by the conflict in their home.

The Home Office yesterday said: “The dismantling of the camp in Calais is a matter for the French Government.

“As the Home Secretary reiterated when she met her French counterpart in Paris last month, we remain committed to protecting our shared border in Calais and are working closely with the French to do so.

“The UK Government has made crystal clear its commitment to resettle vulnerable children under the Immigration Act and ensure those with links to the UK are brought here using the Dublin Regulation.

“We will also continue to support the French Government as it provides alternative accommodation to migrants in the camps and returns those not in need of protection to their home countries.”