Responding to the situation in Dover, Shadow Home Secretary Andy Burnham said:

“The Government needs to get on the phone to the French authorities and get a grip on this outrageous situation. Our new Prime Minister must urgently explain what representations she and the Home Secretary are making to their French counterparts tonight.

"Theresa May should have anticipated heightened security checks in France - the Home Office and Department for Transport have been caught ill-prepared once again.

"This can’t carry on and it certainly can’t happen again. Ministers must take action to assist the thousands of holiday-makers who, through no fault of their own, are now stranded. It’s the beginning of the busiest holiday period and the Government cannot allow this to continue.”

Ends