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Sarkozy ally blames UK for migrant misery
Peter Allen in Paris9 Jan 2009
A SENIOR French politician today attacked Britain's "inhumane and illegal" immigration policies, blaming them for causing "utter misery" across the Channel.
Etienne Pinte, a veteran member of President Nicolas Sarkozy's governing UMP party, says Britain is "solely to blame" for the build-up of thousands of migrants in northern France.
Almost all of those trying to board ferries illegally to Dover were from former British colonies, he said.
"So why are the British now rejecting them while at the same time they're welcoming thousands of citizens from eastern Europe and in particular from Poland?" said the MP for Versailles. "Most of them speak English. They often have family members who emigrated to Great Britain when being part of the Commonwealth entitled them to do so. Why are the British forcing us to keep them in utter misery in our territory?"
Mr Pinte, who makes his comments in an open letter to immigration minister Brice Hortefeux, says Britain should accept all the migrants. It would then consider all asylum claims, before accepting the migrants or repatriating them at the British taxpayers' expense.
Mr Pinte spoke out after an Afghan migrant was stabbed to death near Calais during a fight between 30 men battling to board lorries heading to Britain.
Mr Pinte is known to have the president's ear but French ministerial sources said his comments did not reflect current government thinking.
Reader views (14)
Well, as the world turn and the league of powerful countries play their games with the less fortune countries around the world, the situation of migration will continue. The United States vs. Mexico migration and Europe vs. Africa migration. Perhaps, we should build these less fortune countries so their citizens would not have to leave for a better place or change of a better life.
- Ray Sievers, Salt Lake City. Utah, 10/01/2009 23:24
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Ah yes, Afghanistan, that well known British commonwealth country!
- Rachelle, London, 09/01/2009 15:56
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Typical French reaction - they don't want them!
- Wen, Oxfordshire, 09/01/2009 15:51
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Mr. Pinte forgets that we are part of the EU. We cannot stop the Poles (nor indeed the French from entering). Similarly, there are EU limits on how many immigrants can come in from outside the EU. Hypocrite
- Alex Balfour, Hong Kong, 09/01/2009 15:33
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On the contrary Maggie, they have everything to do with Britain. That's why they have risked everything. Britain is the place they want to be in because they have been led to believe it's paved with free gold. None of them want to stay in France or in any other the other European countries they have crossed before they got there. In Europe, they'd have to work, fancy that. In England if they can get there, they think they'll be given a free ride. The French taxpayer should not have to pay for Britain's ridiculous past and present immigration policies.
- Sarko'S Friend Is Right, London, 09/01/2009 14:12
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No chance. There are something like 1.5bn Commonwealth citizens, so there is zero chance of us allowing them unrestricted right to settle here. France should either offer them assylum or deport them itself. How did they get into France in the first place? Perhaps they need to stiffen their border controls?
- Andrew, London, UK, 09/01/2009 13:35
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The guildelines for asylum do not include crossing upteen safe countries, these people should be processed in France or return home.
- Brandon Thomas, London UK, 09/01/2009 13:27
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The man talks drivel.
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, 09/01/2009 13:26
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I totally agree. We should welcome English speaking immigrants from the Commonwealth in preference to people from far away parts of the EU where they have no connection with the UK or its culture. But alas EU law does not allow this preference to be shown....
- Mark, London, 09/01/2009 13:21
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Absolutely priceless comments from the French when 4-5 years ago they sat on their derrieres and did nothing to stem the flow of refugees from the Sangatte camp that disrupted international freight traffic through the Channel Tunnel.
- Simon Swift, Earl Shilton, Leicestershire, 09/01/2009 13:18
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I too was misreable when I stayed in France - I can see what Mr Pinte is getting at. I mean who would want to be stuck in France.
- Fly, london, 09/01/2009 13:02
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i hate this claim that people have a right to come to Britain as they are from a former colony. colonialism wasnt based on reciprocity it was based on conquest and subjugation. you lost, we won. that was the past. i dont feel white guilt about this as i see us giving a lot to aid and accepting far more non-EU migrants. we need to change benefit system to deter these young men
- Aesir, Londonistan, 09/01/2009 12:36
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France can always send them back where they came from even if it is just to their previous country of residence. If they don't meet the British requirements then there is no reason for us to feel guilty.
- Keith Price, Luton, England, 09/01/2009 12:27
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They have nothing to do with Britain they are in France. If this French minister is so concerned about them let them stay in France at the French taxpayers expense.
- Maggie, London, 09/01/2009 10:39
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