Amid growing anger among members of the European Parliament their administration is insisting that political groups must meet in Strasbourg Monday in order to decide whether or not the regular plenary session should be cancelled.

The Parliament administration has told MEPs that transport is being arranged to get them from Brussels to Strasbourg but some members have furiously pointed put that travelling either to Brussels or Strasbourg would be inherently dangerous.

With some 20,000 Belgian’s struggling to return to their capital after the country’s school holidays it appears unlikely that Strasbourg will see more than a token presence. The growing controversy is bound to reopen demands that the European Parliament should look again at the expense and difficulties of holding one week sessions in the French provincial city.

At least one member has complained that MEPs and staff are hostages to political considerations. The reference is to the legally binding agreement with France and members are demanding a decision to suspend the session from Brussels.