On October 19, 2021, French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin visits the 22 nd Milipol Paris, the world's largest exhibition dedicated to homeland security, in Villepinte near Paris, France. PARIS, Nov 26 Reuters - France has told UK Home Secretary Priti Patel she is not invited to a meeting over the Channel migration crisis, after British Prime Minister Boris Johnson criticised Paris' handling of the situation, the French government said.
France took offence after a letter sent by Johnson to President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday. A source close to Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin said the letter was unacceptable and contrary to the spirit of our discussions between partners. The decision underscored the poor post-Brexit relations between the two countries and the difficulties they may face working together to curb the flow of migrants after 27 people drowned trying to reach British shores on Wednesday. Darmanin told his counterpart that she was not longer welcome, government spokesman Gerald Darmanin told BFM TV.
London hoped Paris would reconsider.
Transport minister Grant Shapps told BBC News that no nation can tackle this alone, and so I hope that the French will reconsider.
Seventeen men, seven women and three teenagers died on when their dinghy deflated in the Channel, one of many such risky journeys undertaken by people fleeing poverty and war in Afghanistan, Iraq and beyond.
It was the worst tragedy on record in the narrow seaway between Britain and France, one of the world's busiest shipping lanes.
Premier Boris Johnson said France was at fault and French Interior Minister Gerald Darmanin accused Britain of bad immigration management. The deaths of Britain and France are already at odds over post-Brexit trade rules and fishing rights.