Lindsay Watling, Westminster Correspondent
Scotland’s former first minister Alex Salmond has criticised the “thoroughly depressing start” to the EU referendum campaign, branding it the “political equivalent of a no score draw”.
The Gordon MP attacked suggestions from Number 10 that a vote for Brexit could lead to migrant camps like the Calais “jungle” springing up in the south of England.
And he rubbished Downing Street’s claim France could tear up the 2003 Le Touquet agreement which requires checks on cross-Channel lorries and trains to be carried out on French soil.
“No one knows how it would affect the bilateral arrangements between Britain and France,” he told MPs during a Commons debate on the timing of the referendum.
But former national security adviser Sir Peter Ricketts, who was the UK’s ambassador to Paris for four years until last month, backed David Cameron’s warning France could scrap a border deal.
Democratic Unionist deputy leader Nigel Dodds, who led the discussion in the chamber, warned football would be the focus for voters if the Government opted to hold the in/out poll during Euro 2016.
He said the clash is “another good argument” for the EU referendum to be held later than June.
The SNP’s Carol Monaghan warned that a rumoured June 23 referendum would fall at the start of Scottish school holidays, meaning many parents would be abroad during the vote.
And Mr Salmond – who at one point quoted from Dr Seuss’ Cat in the Hat poem – said the Scottish, Welsh and Northern Irish administrations would be in purdah for 10 out of 13 weeks if that date is chosen.
But veteran Tory Sir Edward Leigh urged the PM to “bring it on”, insisting Eurosceptics are confident they can win.
Meanwhile, the Scottish arm of the pro-EU campaign, Stronger In Scotland, will launch at Edinburgh’s Dynamic Earth today.