Asylum boss snubs Eurotunnel

Riot police guard the Channel Tunnel

The Red Cross refugee camp at Sangatte, near Calais, is under increasing pressure following the local mayor's calls for it to be closed down.

In spite of that plans for a second camp along the coast are well advanced.

There are also concerns over the views of the Sangatte camp's deputy director, Michel Meriaux.

Asylum seekers who aim to reach England

He explained on this programme yesterday that he had been unaware that two groups of would-be asylum-seekers - some 500 in all - were gathering in the camp to try to get through the Channel Tunnel.

He went on to say he had not seen it as his responsibility to inform Eurotunnel, or to increase the security surrounding the camp.

The refugees subsequently stormed the tunnel. The Red Cross has since insisted that Mr Meriaux had been misquoted. He was not misquoted.

By clicking on the audio boxes on the right hand side of this screen you can hear what he said in French and listen to an English translation.