The Port of Dover has pledged to support all government measures to screen major UK gateways due to the Ebola epidemic.

In a statement issued today, the port says: "The recent decision by the government to screen for Ebola at certain major UK gateways is a direct response to the current crisis in West Africa.

"While the government says the risk to the UK is very low, the port of Dover will support whatever measures the government deems appropriate for the port to ensure it remains a secure place for everyone travelling in and out of the UK.

"Being one of the UK’s most important international gateways, we understand the need for vigilance.

"As with all matters relating to border security, we will continue to liaise closely with the responsible agencies, including UK Border Force and Public Health England in order to maintain the highest levels of security."

Meanwhile Thanet North MP, Sir Roger Gale has tabled a question on Tuesday for Home Secretary Theresa May about government measures to tackle screening.

The question says: "What steps her department plans to take to screen arrivals from west Africa via Europe at the port of Dover for Ebola; and what steps her department is taking to liaise with the French authorities to facilitate the screening of people, temporarily resident in Calais while seeking to enter the UK illegally, for Ebola."

'We have to try to take every practical precaution to both prevent the disease from entering the UK and to identify, isolate and treat, possible patients.' - Sir Roger Gale, MP

Sir Roger has says: “Screening is starting to take place at airports and of passengers travelling via Eurotunnel but there is also, of course, the possibility of passengers from affected countries and in particular via former French colonies travelling to the UK, quite legitimately, by ferry.

"As a regular user of the ferry service myself I have no desire to cause further delay to passengers already facing queues but at the same time we have to try to take every practical precaution to both prevent the disease from entering the UK and to identify, isolate and treat, possible patients.

"What is as dangerous is a possible outbreak of Ebola among those hundreds of potential illegal immigrants clustered under poor conditions in Calais.

"They, by their nature, cannot be subject to any pre-embarkation screening but in the interests of humanity we need to work with the French authorities to try to limit the prospects of an outbreak within that itinerant community."

Charlie Elphicke, Dover MP, said: "It is right that there are screens for Ebola at airports and at Eurostar and it is right that the Prime Minister has said he will keep screening under constant review.

"Everyone knows to have screening at the Port of Dover will be complicated, but I hope the PM will give it full consideration.

"We need to make sure there are strong protections against illegals who seek to break into the country."