France is due to host German, Belgian and Dutch ministers, as well as European Commission officials for talks on addressing the current migrant crisis. UK Home Secretary Priti Patel will not be present.
She was “disinvited” from the summit after a row between Boris Johnson and French President Emmanuel Macron.
On Friday Prime Minister Boris Johnson publicly shared a letter he had sent to the French president on how to deal with the current situation.
In it he set out five steps – joint patrols of the Channel, better use of technology such as sensors and radar, maritime patrols in each other’s waters, stronger co-operation by intelligence services and negotiation on a policy of returning migrants who reach the UK to France
This letter angered Mr Macron and according to the French government it demonstrated “double talk” from the UK, leading to the Home Secretary’s invitation being revoked.
However, the UK government said that, even if the Home Secretary does not attend Sunday’s meeting in Calais, British officials will be there.
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On Wednesday, 27 people drowned as they headed for the UK from France. Their boat sank in the Channel. The International Organization for Migrations said it was the biggest single loss of life in the Channel since it began collecting data in 2014.
Their deaths have raised questions about why so many people are attempting the journey despite the dangerous conditions.
However, the security at the Port of Calais in France – where UK border controls operate – has been tightened. This has meant that more attempts are being made to send people by boat, according to Tony Smith, former director general of UK Border Force.
So far this year, the number of people crossing the channel in small boats has far exceeded previous years.
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