France spends tens of thousands of cash from the UK to stop migrant boats on policing its border with ITALY
FRANCE has splashed cash from the UK to stop migrant boats on policing its border with Italy, 560 miles from the Channel.
Tens of thousands — part of £46.5million handed over — went on vehicles and drones to secure the frontier.
Documents confirm UK taxpayers’ cash went to a division of the French force that stops arrivals at its south eastern border.
The French also spent big on equipment rather than manpower — including office items, microwaves, vacuum cleaners, e-scooters and quad bikes.
Another £130,000 went on new riding boots, helmets and gear for a mounted border unit.
Figures reveal British hand-outs will account for a tenth of France’s entire border budget this year.
Huge sums were handed over to France as a result of the 2018 Sandhurst Treaty negotiated by former PM Theresa May and president Emmanuel Macron.
A French Interior Ministry source said of the Italian border cash: “Immigrants who arrive though Italy are often making their way to Britain, so there is logic in this expenditure.”
MINISTERS must not go soft with an effective amnesty to migrants who arrived in the UK illegally and face deportation to Rwanda, MPs warn.
Thousands have come here since new laws meant the Home Secretary should remove them without considering their claim.
But it has emerged Whitehall could give them access to the asylum system after the Supreme Court ruled the Africa policy unlawful.
Tory MP Marco Longhi said he feared it would make the UK look “a soft touch”.
He said: “It would encourage more people to try and come here illegally.”