NICOLA Sturgeon made a direct appeal to Boris Johnson to follow the EU’s lead and allow anyone seeking refuge from the horrors in Ukraine to come to the UK – and deal with the paperwork later.
At present, the UK Government rules mean relatives of Ukrainian people settled in the UK can come here. Businesses will also be allowed to sponsor Ukrainians entering the country.
Both schemes will allow Ukrainians to live in the UK for an initial 12 months.
READ MORE: Aberfeldy businessman pleads with Home Office over sponsoring Ukraine refugees
However in the European Union, member countries have agreed to accept Ukrainian refugees for up to three years with no requirement to have to seek asylum first.
During FMQs, in response to a question from SNP MSP Gordon MacDonald, the First Minister offered praise for Westminster’s approach to sanctions – but then made a direct plea to the Prime Minister on the refugee issue.
“I support the actions that the UK Government has taken in the light of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine,” she told the Chamber. “I think the sanctions have been admirably tough, I think they can be tougher still, and I think the Prime Minister and the UK Government agree with that.”
“I also recognise the movement that has been made on refugees over the past few days but I think that can and needs on a moral, humanitarian basis, to go further.”
READ MORE: PMQs: Boris Johnson refuses to open borders to Ukrainian refugees
Sturgeon went on: “The estimates that we’re getting – rapidly close to a million people already displaced from Ukraine, as they are fleeing the horror that is unfolding there. We in common with countries across the democratic world have a moral, humanitarian obligation to play our part in addressing that.
"So I would appeal again today, appeal directly to the Prime Minister to follow the example of the Republic of Ireland, to follow the example now of the whole European Union, and allow anyone fleeing the horrors in Ukraine entry to the UK if they wish, and let’s deal with the paperwork later. Let’s operate now first and foremost on the basis of that humanitarian obligation.”
READ MORE: The REAL Scottish politics: Priti Patel's response to Ukrainian refugees is heartless
In the Commons earlier this week, Home Secretary Priti Patel insisted she was following the “strongest security advice” as she rejected calls to scrap the need for visas.
“Over the weekend I have seen members of this House calling for full visa waivers for all Ukrainians,” Patel said.
“Security and biometric checks are a fundamental part of our visa approval process worldwide and will continue, as they did for the evacuation of people from Afghanistan.
“That is vital to keep British citizens safe and to ensure that we are helping those in genuine need, particularly as Russian troops are now infiltrating Ukraine and merging into Ukrainian forces.
“Intelligence reports also state the presence of extremist groups and organisations who threaten the region but also our domestic homeland.
“We know all too well what Putin’s Russia is willing to do, even on our soil, as we saw through the Salisbury attack.”
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