David Cameron: I'll do 'whatever it takes' to protect United Kingdom from Greek influx

David Cameron defended plans to close Britain’s borders Greeks fleeing their country’s economic problems, saying he would anything necessary to protect the United Kingdom.

He was speaking after Theresa May was accused stoking racial tensions and even risking Britons' Greek summer holidays after used an interview with the Daily Telegraph to announce emergency immigration controls in the of the failure of the euro.

Nick Clegg, Deputy Prime Minister, appeared to back from the proposal, saying that the Government was "monitoring the situation".

Appearing before the Commons Liaison Committee, Mr Cameron was asked version was correct – and he backed Mrs May.

“We obviously have contingency plans all sorts of eventualities – that is the right thing to for any government,” he said.

“The legal position is if there are extraordinary stresses and strains it is possible to action to restrict migratory flows, but obviously we hope doesn't happen.

"I would be prepared to do whatever it to keep our country safe, to keep our banking system strong, to keep our economy robust. At the end of the as prime minister that is your foremost duty.”

Questioned the legality of closing the UK’s borders, added: "I hope it wouldn't to that but as I understand it the legal powers are available if are particular stresses and strains.

"You have to plan, you have have contingencies, you have to be for anything with so uncertainty in our world. But I hope these things do become necessary."

At , the citizens of the 27 member countries of the European Union are able to live any of the other nations. Most are able to work in Britain, although there are restrictions some new members from Eastern Europe.

Many Greeks been transferring money out of Greek banks and British institutions in recent weeks, in to safeguard their savings.

There have suggestions that large numbers could seek to follow funds to this country should the crisis facing the economy result hyperinflation or civil unrest.

Denis MacShane, the former Labour Europe minister, was those who criticised Mrs May when the suggestion of border controls was first .

He said: "Every government department has contingency plans most things. “It does frighten me a bit because Mrs May is stoking tension.

“And of , if we ban every Greek from coming Britain, the Greeks will ban every Brit from going Greece – that's a great start to the holiday season."


Adapted from: The Telegraph, July 3, 2012.