The French have denied claims that a new refugee centre near Calais is another Sangatte refugee camp.

The head of the Red Cross in the region said: "We are not offering them lodging. Our concern is humanitarian. Emergency medical services in Calais are available to every one, whatever their colour, nationality or religion."

But the Conservatives said the government had been "duped" by the French.

"No wonder the French interior minister, Nicolas Sarkozy, held a champagne celebration when he duped our home secretary into accepting 1400 asylum seekers in return for the totally useless action of closing Sangatte," said Oliver Letwin.