PM: EU Exit Could Bring Calais Migrants To UK

Downing Street has claimed thousands of asylum seekers from the Calais "Jungle" camp could end up in the south of England overnight if Britain left the European Union.

Number 10 has chosen to take on the notion that Europe's migration crisis could fuel eurosceptic sentiment in Britain.

It argued that deals with France over the camps are partly a product of both nations being partners in the EU.

Eurosceptics accused Number 10 of "scaremongering over immigration".

Conservative MP Liam Fox, who is campaigning for Britain to leave the EU, told Sky News that the Number 10 comment was "irresponsible".

He said: "It does nothing to add credibility to those who want to stay in the EU.

"That they're getting these sort of specious arguments, rather than arguing for the principle of the European project and supranational government, which is what it is about.

"I think in the end it's a red herring because in the renegotiation there is no attempt by the Government to get a reduction in the free movement of people.

"And that ultimately is what has been driving the big numbers of European migrants to the UK."

UKIP migration spokesman Steven Woolfe said: "The baseless statements from David Cameron and the Remain camp that France will scrap its bilateral Calais border control agreement with the UK, leaving our country vulnerable to illegal immigration and Calais-like 'Jungle' camps on the south coast, are based on fear, negativity and a falsehood.

"Membership of the European Union is not a prerequisite for this agreement as it was negotiated and signed between two nation-states.

"The EU had nothing to do with this deal, and that's probably why it has worked for the past decade."

The deal establishing "juxtaposed border controls" where British guards work in Calais, is a bilateral deal between London and Paris.

When pushed the PM's official spokesman said: "The key point here is the lack of certainty and lack of clarity ... it's a perfectly feasible scenario - juxtaposed border controls could be called into question."

Number 10 could not confirm that such a threat had been discussed in any bilateral meeting with French President Francois Hollande.

The Prime Minister himself was asked about the threat during a speech in central London and replied: "There are any number of opposition politicians in France who would love to tear up the excellent agreement we have with France to make sure we have our borders on their side of the Channel.

"I don't think we should give these politicians any excuse to do that."

Some politicians in France are concerned about the proliferation of camps for migrants and refugees on the French coast around Calais and Dunkirk.

The argument will also test the patience of Cabinet eurosceptics signed up to a deal not to speak out against the EU until after a renegotiation is sealed, perhaps next week.