Sir Keir Starmer is battling to save a one in, one out migrant returns deal with France ahead of a state visit to the UK by Emmanuel Macron starting on Tuesday.
The Prime Minister and French President have been working on an agreement under which France would take back migrants, who have illegally crossed the Channel in small boats, in return for the UK accepting a similar number of asylum seekers from France.
It had been intended as a centrepiece of an Anglo-French summit on Thursday primarily aimed at tackling the small boats crisis.
Record numbers of migrants have crossed the Channel this year. More are expected to cross this week with temperatures set to hit the low 30s from Wednesday.
But on Monday night, government sources said the deal was “complex” and “in the balance”, with negotiations still ongoing.
Last month, Italy, Spain, Greece, Malta and Cyprus wrote to the European Commission expressing concern that the ‘one in, one out’ deal could mean they would face an influx of deported migrants.
Under the EU’s Dublin agreement, migrants can be sent back to the EU country where they first landed.
“We take note – with a degree of surprise – of the reported intention of France to sign a bilateral readmission arrangement,” their letter read.
“If confirmed, such an initiative raises serious concerns for us, both procedurally and in terms of potential implications for other member states, particularly those of first entry. We believe it is essential to clarify whether the agreement may produce any direct or indirect consequences for other member states.”
The European Commission has asked for clarification on the agreement from Paris and London in order to reassure the five southern nations.
However, sources said it was minded to be helpful as the EU and the UK pledged to work on “practical and innovative approaches” to reduce irregular migration as part of the “reset” agreement signed in May.
Brussels needs to check the deal to see if it meets the spirit and
letter of EU law. A European Commission spokesman said: “We are in
contact with the French and the UK authorities to ensure the necessary
clarifications are made.”...<<<Read More>>>...
