Cameron backs EU chief over ‘tide of migrants’

David Cameron today backed a top EU figure who warned that the “greatest tide of refugees” is yet to hit Europe’s shores.

A Downing Street spokesman said the President of the European Council Donald Tusk’s words reflected Mr Cameron’s own stance.

Mr Tusk also called for an end to the EU’s “open doors” policy.

It followed the announcement of an EU plan to provide an additional £1.25 billion to tackle the refugee crisis, which raised concerns the UK would have to provide further funding.

Another migrant was killed by a train near the Channel Tunnel entrance in France last night.

Mr Cameron supported Mr Tusk’s stance after a breakfast meeting between the pair this morning, at which the renegotiation of the UK’s EU membership was also discussed.

Mr Tusk had said: “It is clear that the greatest tide of refugees and migrants is yet to come. Therefore we need to correct the policy of open doors and windows.”

He added: “Today we are talking about millions of potential refugees trying to reach Europe, not thousands.It is likely that more refugees will flow towards Europe. Especially as almost all of them feel invited to Europe.”

The remark was seen as an attack on German chancellor Angela Merkel who said last month that Germany would not turn Syrian asylum seekers away.

Think tank Open Europe suggested Britain could be forced to pay an extra £150 million towards the £1.25 billion EU pledge to help European countries deal with migrants. Downing Street, which has said it will not take part in EU-wide schemes to relocate migrants, said the claims were premature. The UK did, however, say it would give an extra £100 million to help refugees in camps in countries neighbouring Syria, taking its contribution to about £1.1 billion.

Britain will also provide £14.5 million towards aid in Europe, the Western Balkans and North Africa, including £2 million for agencies in Libya.

Before yesterday’s EU summit, Mr Cameron called on leaders to adopt a “comprehensive approach” and for more to be done to stabilise the nations migrants are leaving.

EU ministers also agreed a plan to relocate 120,000 refugees in Italy, Greece and Hungary among the member states. The scheme is opposed by Slovakia, Romania, Hungary and the Czech Republic.

The migrant killed last night by a freight train near the Channel Tunnel entrance is believed to have been aged between 15 and 17 and from east Africa. At least 10 people have died trying to cross over to Britain from Calais since the refugee crisis began.