Shrewsbury MP accused of 'immoral and offensive bile' over help for Ukrainian refugees

He has since deleted the tweet

Shrewsbury and Atcham MP Daniel Kawczynski
Author: Polly BayfieldPublished 10th Mar 2022
Last updated 10th Mar 2022

The MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham has been accused of spouting "utterly risible, illiterate, immoral and offensive bile" over help for Ukrainian refugees by a senior colleague.

Tory MP Daniel Kawczynski claimed "British left wing parties" are making "illiterate and immoral" demands for the UK to accept more people fleeing Vladimir Putin's invasion. He argued Britain should support Ukraine's neighbours, like Poland, because "Ukrainians will need to return home to rebuild their country" when the war is over.

He has since deleted the tweet.

But chair of the Commons Northern Ireland Committee, Simon Hoare, told Mr Kawczynski he does "not speak for the Tory party".

In a 5.50am tweet, Mr Hoare said: "What utterly risible, illiterate, immoral and offensive bile. Haven't you heard what @BorisJohnson has been saying?

"You do not speak for the Tory Party. I'm not sure you speak for humanity #whitehotfury."

It comes as the Home Secretary's under increasing pressure to take in more refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine. Despite more than 2.1 million people having fled Ukraine according to UN estimates, the latest figures from Downing Street say the UK has granted just 957 visas.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson was resisting widespread calls, including from Kyiv, to drop visa requirements for Ukrainians, instead insisting security checks were needed to prevent the Russian President sending agents to the UK.