Channel migrants: France to propose deal with UK

France is ready for talks with the UK over a deal to tackle the migrant crisis, the interior minister said.

Gerald Darmanin said prime minister Jean Castex will write to Boris Johnson with proposals for a "balanced agreement" between the UK and the EU.

Mr Darmanin told journalists Mr Castex's letter would not be published.

The two countries needed to work together to deal with a shared problem, he told a press conference on Monday.

"From the moment there is no more double-speak, and we can discuss in a serious spirit, and our private exchanges correspond to our public exchanges, the French government is ready to very quickly resume discussions with Great Britain," Mr Darmanin said.

The proposals by Mr Castex could include ways to open up legal routes to the UK and for asylum seekers and to allow unaccompanied minors to join relatives in Britain, he said.

However he said the practice of turning back boats at sea, as suggested in Mr Johnson's letter, was "a red line for the French government".

The diplomatic row between the two countries erupted after 27 people drowned when their small boat capsized in the English Channel.

Mr Johnson tweeted a copy of his letter to Mr Macron calling for joint patrols on French beaches and for migrants who succeeded in making the dangerous Channel crossing to be returned to France.

Mr Macron said it was not a serious way to negotiate, while Home Secretary Priti Patel had her invitation withdrawn from a meeting in Calais with ministers from France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Germany to discuss the crisis.

The BBC's Paris correspondent Lucy Williamson tweeted that the French Interior Minister told journalists on Monday night: "We won't be publishing [Mr Castex's latter] on Twitter". Note that it's Castex, not Macron engaging with British PM now."

Meanwhile Mr Johnson is due to hold talks online with another of the key European players - Belgian prime minister Alexander de Croo.

Downing Street continues to insist a returns agreement, as set out by Mr Johnson in his letter, would be the "single biggest deterrent" to migrants attempting the Channel crossing.