The BBC Today presenter said reported data on the number of Ukrainian refugees resettled in the UK since the start of the Russian invasion is a “source of shame.” Over 1.5 million people have fled Ukraine to escape Russia’s attacks, with the majority seeking refuge in neighbouring Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and Romania. Europe Minister James Cleverly was put on the spot after Nick Robinson noted only 50 refugees so far had been reported to have been welcomed to the UK.
The BBC host said: “Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, told The Sun, ‘I’m urgently escalating our response to create a humanitarian route.’
“Is it your understanding there will have to be a new route in order to allow some of these vast numbers of refugees to come to this country?”
Mr Cleverly said: “We’ve got two routes – those who have pre-existing families here in the UK and those who don’t. We’ve got the routes.”
Mr Robinson asked: “How many people have come so far?”
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The Conservative MP admitted to not having the figures at hand, which prompted Mr Robinson to inform him only 50 Ukrainian refugees so far had arrived in the UK.
Mr Cleverly said: “I know over the weekend the number 50 was being talked about but, of course, the processes that have been set up have only been set up very, very recently. And this is unprecedented levels.”
But Mr Robinson appeared unconvinced by the explanation: “Sure. Poland processed 42,000 in the last 24 hours.
“Now, of course, it’s on the border, it’s not the same as Britain. Fifty is a source of shame, isn’t it? We’ve got to get our act together.”
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