Britain snubbed as France hosts Channel dialogue

France hosted a meeting of European ministers yesterday to discuss ways to stop migrants crossing the Channel in dinghies, but without Britain, which has been excluded following a row last week.

Ministers from France, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium were expected to meet in the northern French port of Calais yesterday afternoon to discuss how to tackle people-smuggling gangs that provide boats to migrants seeking to cross the narrow waterway.

The talks were called following the shocking deaths of 27 people last Wednesday as they attempted to cross from France to England in a dinghy that began losing air while at sea in cold winter temperatures.

The aim of the meeting is “improving operational cooperation in the fight against people-smuggling because these are interna- tional networks which oper- ate in different European countries,” an aide to French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said.

The main focus had been set to be talks between Mr Darmanin and his British counterpart Priti Patel after both countries vowed in the immediate aftermath of the mass drownings to cooperate more together.

Working more closely would require Paris and London to overcome years of ill-will caused by Britain’s departure from the European Union, as well as often frosty ties between their governments.

Within 48 hours of the accident, French President Emmanuel Macron had accused British Prime Minister Boris Johnson of being “not serious” in unusually personal criticism that pushed relations to fresh lows.

France was irked by Mr Johnson’s initial reaction, which was seen as deflecting blame onto France, and then by his decision to write a letter to Mr Macron which he published in full on his Twitter account before the French leader had received it.

Ms Patel’s invitation to yesterday’s talks was promptly withdrawn, with an aide to Mr Darmanin calling Mr Johnson’s public letter “unacceptable”.

Without the participation of Britain — the destination country for the thousands of migrants massed in northern France — there are limits to what can be achieved.

The invitation to France’s other northern neighbours reflects concern about how people-smuggling gangs are able to use Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany as bases to organise their operations.

Many migrants are believed to travel to launch sites in northern France from Belgium, while inflatables and life jackets can be bought in other countries such as the Netherlands and Germany without raising suspicion, a source said.

One of the five men arrested in connection with the accident last Wednesday was driving a car with German registration, according to French officials.

“Let’s not forget that the real problem on illegal migration flows is the EU has no border protections whatsoever,” Ms Patel said in the middle of November, referring to the EU’s border-free Schengen zone.

While France and Britain agree on the need to tackle people-smugglers more effectively, they remain at odds over how to prevent people travelling to northern France to seek passage to the UK.