Gypsy fears dismissed - Kent

From the Dover Express


NEWS reports that Eastern European Gypsies could be heading to the northern French coast with a view to coming to Britain have been dismissed by one local MP.

An article in the Daily Mail claimed that the French Government's tough new policy of ridding towns and cities of encampments by eviction and destruction was forcing Gypsies towards the Channel ports.

But Charlie Elphicke – one of three local Tory MPs with direct dealings with immigration both legal and illegal – said that he was "not aware of such a thing happening".

Comparing the French situation with the ten-year legal wrangle with the Dale Farm travelers in Essex, the article last week stated: "Such a drawn-out eviction process will only encourage France's Gypsies to head north to the Channel ports near the Eurotunnel in the hope of starting a new life in Britain.

"Already some have found their way there – camping under fly-overs on the motorway to Calais or near the Eurostar tracks that lead to London.

"It is not surprising, therefore, that the British Government is watching to see how successful France is in repatriating Roma in the face of the EU's commitment to the freedom of movement of all its citizens."

Mr Elphicke, MP for Dover and Deal, added: "If they are EU citizens and have a passport they can buy a ticket and cross on a ferry like anyone else.

"They certainly would not be illegal immigrants unless there was some reason for them not to be in the UK."

Immigration minister Damian Green, MP for Ashford, has tough new plans for foreign nationals planning to come to Britain to claim benefits. He wants to attract the "brightest and the best" to the UK who can support themselves though work.

Mr Green was unavailable for comment.