Brexit Is To Blame For Queues Chaos At Dover, Say Senior Tories

BREXIT is to blame for the Dover travel misery blighting Easter holiday trips to the Continent, senior Tory MPs said today.

- Nicholas Cecil

Ministers are refusing to acknowledge the economic and travel harm caused by quitting the European Union.

But Tobias Ellwood, chairman of the Commons Defence Committee, was clear about the impact of Brexit on Britain’s borders.

After thousands of people were caught in delays to coach trips heading for France in recent days, Mr Ellwood, MP for Bournemouth East, tweeted: “Of course it’s connected to Brexit.”

He added: “Our current Brexit model resulted in an end to travel freedoms. But as they weren’t replaced with new ones — processing takes longer — hence the delays.

“Hence we need a Brexit upgrade!” People have suffered waits to cross the Channel of up to 17 hours and there are fears of more chaos over the upcoming Easter Bank Holiday weekend.

Former Justice Secretary Sir Robert Buckland also partly blamed Brexit for this weekend’s Dover Port gridlock, with a high number of coach trips also said to be another reason. “It does seem that there is a confluence of issues,” the South Swindon MP told Sky News.