Liberal democrats urge PM to intervene over EU entry-exit system disruptions

The Liberal Democrats have called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to directly contact European leaders and lobby for an immediate suspension of the EU’s Entry-Exit System (EES) until at least September.

Speaking at Heathrow Airport, foreign affairs spokesperson Calum Miller criticised the biometric scheme as a “bungled, malfunctioning border system” that risks ruining summer holidays for millions of British citizens during peak travel periods.

The call comes as approximately 2.2 million British holidaymakers prepare to travel abroad over the weekend following the start of school summer breaks across the UK. Spain, Greece, Portugal, Italy, and Turkey remain the primary destinations.

While the EES requires non-EU citizens to undergo biometric registration, including photographs and fingerprinting, border police have retained discretion to relax checks during severe delays.

Several European nations have already introduced temporary flexibilities or experienced tech issues, with automated border booths in France failing to function and Greece opting to exempt British nationals from additional biometric checks.

Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander has held discussions with EU commissioners and French counterparts regarding cross-Channel concerns, particularly at French border posts situated in the UK, such as the Port of Dover. To mitigate severe queueing, French border police have temporarily suspended fingerprinting and photography for car passengers at ferry ports and the Eurotunnel terminal.

Consequently, queue times at Dover have remained manageable, staying under 40 minutes despite heavy traffic volumes. Meanwhile, airlines such as easyJet are pressing the EU to extend border flexibility through the end of October to prevent further travel disruption.