‘An affront to HUMANITY’ Dover MP’s JOY at the closure of Calais Jungle

Conservative Charlie Elphicke compared the conditions on Britain’s doorstep to those of a “shantytown in Rio or Africa” – but remains uncertain whether the crisis could spill across the Channel.

An estimated 12,000 people inhabited the makeshift refuge centre and are set to be relocated across France as the camp is dismantled.

Migrants will be taken to reception areas where they can apply for asylum or be deported to their home countries. 

French riot police were forced to use tear gas on migrants as they begun their three-day operation tearing down the makeshift shelters and shops.

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Charlie Elphicke welcomed the Calais Jungle’s closure but was uncertain on future dangers

This is terrible situation for Calais and a dangerous situation for the whole of Europe

Charlie Elphicke

Speaking on talkRADIO, Mr Elphicke praised the decision to finally close the camp which has been on his constituency’s doorstep for over two years.

He said: “I welcome the fact that action’s been taken, it should never have got to this stage.

“The camp is worse than a shantytown in Rio or Africa – it’s an affront to humanity. 

“You’ve got 10,000 people living in the most appalling squalor – there’s not running water or sanitation, people traffickers roam free, feasting on dreams people have of a better life when all they offer is broken promises and a life of modern slavery.

“The only reason they’re there is because this is the first border in the whole of Europe. This is a terrible situation for Calais and a dangerous situation for the whole of Europe.

“We’re leaving the European Union, but not Europe physically or culturally.

“That’s why it’s so important we continue to work with the French positively in order to ensure border security for both Dover and Calais.”

The Conservative MP, however, refused to predict if Britain’s decision to leave the EU will have a negative impact, accepting Britain’s border with France could be pushed across the Channel.

He added: “Who knows what will happen in the French presidential election next year where this has all become a big issue or how, indeed, the Brexit negotiations will go.

“But whatever happens, we need to be prepared to take control, to invest in the Dover controls, to invest in intelligence, a Dover patrol to secure the Channel.

“We have to be prepared for every single eventuality.”