LEGAL protections for lone refugee children will be scrapped after MPs rejected every single Brexit bill change put forward by the House of Lords.
In a development that prompted harsh words from critics, MPs voted 342 to 254 to cancel the obligation on the UK Government to negotiate terms with the EU on reuniting young, unaccompanied asylum claimants in the EU with UK-based family members.
Ministers insist they support the principle of the Dubs amendment, named after Labour peer Lord Dubs.
Provisions he championed on child rights and welfare were reinstated in the Lords earlier this week.
READ MORE: WATCH: Blackford warns of 'unprecedented attack' on devolution
Brexit minister Stephen Barclay insists the UK has a “proud record” on the issue and took in 3500 unaccompanied minors in the year to September 2019.
All the Government will be compelled to do now is make a statement on the matter within a stated two-month time frame.
Labour shadow Brexit minister Thangam Debbonaire said the Government’s record was “just not good enough”.
And SNP immigration spokesperson Stuart McDonald said: “The Tories have stooped to a shameful new low with their move to reject and overturn the Dubs amendment.
“Rather than stepping up and playing its role in addressing the refugee crisis, the toxic Tory Government has instead lurched to the extremes and closed the door on some of the most vulnerable children in the world.
“This is a Tory Government that is callous to its very core.”
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel