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In a controversial speech the far-right MP claimed European populations had been fed “propaganda” over asylum seekers and said most of those in Calais are not fleeing war in Syria and Iraq. Addressing supporters, the Front National (FN) politician claimed that migrants were being given “preferential” treatment for houses and jobs over impoverished French citizens.

REUTERS Marion Le Pen has accused the French government of putting migrants before the French poor

But her divisive rhetoric at a rally in La Tour-d’Aigues in Provence, southern France, in protest at the relocation of around 60 refugees being transferred from the Calais Jungle camp was immediately blasted by pro-refugee groups. Around 100 far-right activists marched through the tiny town, which has a population of just 1,200, and which is next to the village Grambois which will host the asylum seekers.

AFP The French far-right MP claimed that most asylum seekers are not from war-torn countries

AFP France has become bitterly divided by Europe's refugee crisis

In an incendiary speech the MP for the region of Vaucluse, in which the two settlements sit, said their arrival meant “a very real preference for foreigners” which was “deeply unfair towards the 20 per cent of Vauclusiens who live below the poverty line”. The anti-establishment politician, whose aunt Marine is set to contest the French presidency, added that the government was treating local regions with “contempt” by not consulting them on the rehoming of migrants. She said it represented a loss of sovereignty that was “disappearing under the weight of cynicism, electioneering and incompetence of the prime minister and the president”. The Front National activists were opposed by around 300 pro-refugee protests who launched a counter-demonstration in the town as a show of welcome to the new arrivals.

AFP The FN march was opposed by around three times as many pro-refugee demonstrators

AFP French towns and villages will be taking in migrants and refugees displaced from the Jungle camp

All the propaganda around the issue of migrants is an incredible lie Marion Le Pen

They were joined by the mayor of Grambois, Alain Feretti, who said that half of the 60 asylum seekers his village is set to host will be unaccompanied minors from Calais. The Jungle camp is being cleared this week before it will be bulldozed by French authorities, who have urged all of its 8,000-10,000 inhabitants to give up their dream of reaching Britain and apply for asylum in France. And left-wing Mr Feretti said: "We have a national duty to offer them decent living conditions. It is unfair to put all the misery of the world on their shoulders.” The counter-demonstrators chanted “solidarity with refugees” and carried banners reading “our dream is your worst nightmare” as they taunted the outnumbered FN activists.

But Ms Le Pen blasted back: "These associations do not represent anything or anyone. Their importance in the street is inversely proportional to what they represent in the polls.” She added: ”All the propaganda around the issue of migrants is an incredible lie, because the vast majority of them did not come from Syria or Iraq. “We are talking about illegal immigrants who have violated French law to enter the country illegally, taking advantage of the laxity of the state to come to Europe. "It's become a new smuggling route used by people who see it as a way to stay in France without having the right to live here.” Her claim that most migrants and refugees arriving in Calais are not from war-torn countries tallies with independent figures released by charities operating in the Jungle camp. According to l'Auberge des Migrants and Help Refugees, the camp has been dominated by predominantly Sudanese migrants, who made up 43 per cent of its population. In contrast 33 per cent were Afghan, nine per cent Eritrean, seven per cent Pakistani and just one per cent Syrian and Iraqi, according to a census they carried out between the 10th and 12th of September.

Marion Le Pen in pictures Tue, May 9, 2017 Marion Maréchal-Le Pen, niece of defeated French presidential candidate Marine Le Pen and a National Front lawmaker, announced that she will not run for re-election in the June legislative elections Play slideshow AFP/Getty Images 1 of 13 Marion Marechal-Le Pen will announce that she leaves her political mandates, according to the far-right National Front