
Strict new EU border restrictions forcing British tourists to have their fingerprints and photos taken before entering the union have prompted France to issue a warning of “civil unrest” in the event that they are implemented.
French transport minister Patrice Vergriete warned airline executives that serious operational problems might cause airport visitor lineups and “disruption” of public order.
Vergriete informed the interior minister of concerns last week, but preparations for the Paris Summer Olympics continued to take precedence.
Beginning in October, citizens of the United Kingdom and other non-EU countries will be subject to biometric screenings to enter and exit the European Union. At each EU country border checkpoint, the system will verify each passenger’s identity using their biometric data and name.
With Brexit, the United Kingdom became a “third country” to the bloc, meaning it is not a member state and so does not have the right to free movement inside the European Union.
The transport minister expressed his concern that the European Union will delay the new system’s rollout despite his requests for a postponement.
The European authorities seem to be making it difficult for Mr. Vergriete to obtain a further postponement.
Rumor has it that French officials have heard from Lord Cameron, James Cleverly, and Mark Harper, who all expressed their apprehension that the new system would cause travel havoc.
A senior government official said that the main risk is that they are in the hands of the French in those places where there is going to be disruption on UK soil.
Lord Cameron had expressed his “great concern” over delays, noted that the system “still needs testing and improving,” and identified “choke points” at Dover and St. Pancras.
There will be significant delays for both arrivals and departures, which is causing airlines to be anxious.
According to Eurotunnel, visitors will not be able to have their passports examined at windows but will instead be required to exit cars and utilize the e-gates. This means that the average time it takes to process a car at Dover may increase from under a minute to seven minutes.