British Prime Minister Theresa May was to offer France on Thursday £44.5 million ($62 million) to bolster security at French border controls, part of measures to deepen cooperation that she hopes will foster goodwill in Brexit talks.
At talks with French President Emmanuel Macron at Sandhurst, Britain’s army officer training academy, Ms. May wanted to show that Britain still has plenty to offer France and other members of the European Union as she negotiates her country’s departure.
Bypassing Brussels?
Ms. May has long seen defence and security as one of its strongest arguments to gain leverage in talks to unravel more than 40 years of union.
However, France and other member states have been cool on allowing Britain to bypass Brussels.
After lobbying from Mr. Macron for Britain to help with security at Channel ports which have become a focus for migrants, London said an additional 44.5 million pounds ($62 million) would be sent to France to help improve fencing, CCTV and technology.
“This is about investing in and enhancing the security of the U.K. border,” a spokesman said. “Just as we invest in our borders around the rest of the U.K., it is only right that we constantly monitor whether there is more we can be doing at the U.K. border controls in France and Belgium.”
