Farron: Joint Action Needed to solve the Calais Crisis

Dear David,

I am writing to you about the current humanitarian crisis in Calais and its impact here in the UK. I am sure you agree that it is heartbreaking to see hundreds of desperate people subsisting in makeshift camps night after night, willing to risk life and limb in the hope of a better future while many in Kent and across the country see their daily lives hugely disrupted through no fault of their own.

I welcome your commitment yesterday to providing France with the resources needed to deal with the situation and am writing to seek assurances that alongside the necessary security measures, support will also be given to humanely process those seeking asylum, return those who have no right to remain, and ensure that, in line with international obligations, standards of welfare and accommodation are urgently improved.

I am also writing to ask that you look again at committing the UK Government to the European Union Committee's draft proposals on relocation of the most vulnerable migrants from Italy and Greece (COM(2015) 286 final). As you know, only those fleeing the extreme humanitarian crises from the conflict-ridden states of Iraq, Eritrea and Syria are eligible for the programme. Countries such as Germany and even Luxembourg and Malta have already signed up to the voluntary agreement.

Opting in to the Commission's proposal would ensure that the UK plays our full part in helping to deal with the immediate crisis in the Mediterranean and offer our protection to some of the most vulnerable refugees. The collective failure of EU member states to deal with this crisis has let to immeasurable suffering and contributed to the devastating situation we now see at Calais.

Calais is the tip of a humanitarian crisis and while I and the Liberal Democrats support your action protecting our borders, I call on you to ensure that the UK act in solidarity with the EU in providing asylum for those fleeing persecution and war.

Kind regards,

Tim Farron MP