Ali: Prime Minister should retract Calais ‘swarm’ comments immediately

30 July 2015

The Green Party is calling on Prime Minister David Cameron to immediately retract his “swarm” remark and stop the "anti-immigration rhetoric".

During his visit to Vietnam, Cameron told ITV News that the situation in northern France has become worse because "you have got a swarm of people coming across the Mediterranean, seeking a better life, wanting to come to Britain".

Shahrar Ali, the party’s deputy leader believes that Cameron "doesn’t have a handle" on the Calais crisis and instead of action is offering "anti-immigration rhetoric".

Ali, said:

“People will be disgusted at Cameron’s Calais comments and he should retract them immediately.

“It is clear that the Prime Minister doesn’t have a handle on the Calais situation and that he sees his priority as ramping up the anti-immigration rhetoric. 

“First he apologises to delayed holiday makers instead of acknowledging the death of someone trying to enter the Channel Tunnel. Now his description of 'swarm' in relation to immigration exemplifies the rhetoric of the far-right. There are lives at stake.

“The challenge of Calais cannot be addressed in Calais alone. A range of wider actions is needed, which recognise our contribution to historic and contemporary reasons for forced migration. A new, expensive high fence isn’t the answer.”

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