South Thanet MP Craig Mackinlay has taken issue with his Kent parliamentary colleagues who have backed claims that to leave the EU would raise the prospect of migrant camps in the county.

The MP has already indicated he will vote to leave the EU regardless of any package of reforms that the Prime Minister can secure from member states.

The PM created controversy this week and was accused of scare-mongering when he said there was a possibility that a "no" vote would end an agreement with France to allow border checks by UK officials based in Calais.

He said the French authorities would love to tear up the deal - meaning camps could spring up in places like Dover or Folkestone.

He was supported in those claims by three Kent MPs - Damian Green (Ashford); Damian Collins (Folkestone and Hythe) and Charlie Elphicke (Dover).

Mr Mackinlay said he was concerned that the claims formed part of a strategy dubbed "Project Fear" - designed to support the UK's continued membership of the EU.

"There is no more likelihood of migrant camps setting up in Dover or Folkestone than there is currently around Heathrow as whatever happens with the bilateral treaty with France we have s40 Immigration Act 1999 and the Counter Terrorism and Security Act 2005 which requires carriers to carry out ‘leave to enter’ checks and provide passenger manifests, else face fines."

"I hope this is not the start of an ill-advised campaign of "Project Fear" - MP on migrant camps claim

He went on: "I hope this is not the start of an ill-advised campaign of "Project Fear". As the PM said in the House last week, whether to vote remain or leave should be a vote taken 'from your heart', the issue should be decided on facts not flawed scare tactics."

He added: "The Le Touquet Treaty is a bilateral treaty between the UK and France, which works for the smooth commercial operation of cross-channel operations, not least to the advantage of Eurostar, 55% owned by the French government through SNCF. This treaty has nothing to do with our membership of the EU."