PM Insists UK Borders Safe Amid Calais Crisis

The Prime Minister has insisted Britain's "borders are safe" but "totally understands people's frustrations" with the Calais migrants crisis that has caused huge delays for holidaymakers.

David Cameron was speaking to Sky News after thousands of people have attempted to reach the UK through the Channel Tunnel, which this week led to a man being killed.

Despite the dangers, migrants remain determined to access the freight terminal in Coquelles in their bid to make the crossing.

The PM, who was in Ho Chi Minh City on the third leg of his South East Asia trade trip, said: "We're doing everything we can do deal with this situation.

"We've invested in the fence at Calais, we've invested in the fence around Coquelles, the entrance to the Channel Tunnel.

"The French are sending an extra 120 police to the area. We're working with them and if there's more we can do we'll take that action."

Asked if it was simply impossible to control, and if he was going to adopt the 2002 solution to the Sangatte crisis of granting work permits, he said: "We're certainly not going to give people who want to come here illegally work permits.

"What we will do is work with the French to secure our border."

He pointed out that Britain "has the advantage of the Channel, the advantage of our natural borders".

And Mr Cameron said: "We've added to that by having our border controls on the other side of the Channel.

"We need to make that advantage work for us by furthering the security measures the fences and the policing and the rest of it."

For people about to embark on holiday using Calais or the Channel Tunnel, the PM said: "We'll do everything we can to ensure those routes are open and do everything we can to ensure people can enjoy a safe and secure holiday."

The PM spoke to Sky News from the Vietnam stock exchange, which did not even exist when he last visited this communist nation as a backpacker in 1990.

He visits Malaysia on the last leg of his four-nation tour today.

Mr Cameron said: "By going to Malaysia not only can we make sure that we continue the relationship between our countries which matters for trade and education and investment, but it means I can raise the very issues, fighting corruption, the need for clean government that it's so essential that we ask.

"If you pack up and go home you can't answer the questions, you can't further the agenda. It's engagement that Britain's doing and that's why I'm here."

He was feeling "very fired up" about being a PM that "sells Britain and markets Britain" to fast-growing economies.

Mr Cameron said: "People really want to trade and invest in Britain.

"For me that means jobs and livelihoods at home.

"That's why I'm here. That's why I've got all the enthusiasm for this job and I've got five years ahead of me to get on with it."