Tories vote down plan to help reunite unaccompanied child refugees with UK families

Conservative MPs have been branded “inhumane” after defeating a bid to force Boris Johnson to act to reunite unaccompanied child refugees with relatives in the UK.

Labour and the Liberal Democrats had urged Tory MPs to rebel after the prime minister’s “disgraceful” decision to strip out a commitment to negotiate with the EU to reach an agreement.

Charities have warned that children seeking asylum will be left with “no options” but to turn to smugglers and take dangerous routes to escape desperate conditions and reach their families.

But an amendment to the withdrawal agreement bill, to restore the promise to seek a deal, was heavily defeated by 348 votes to 252, a majority of 96.

Safe Passage International, a charity providing legal support, described the vote as “a bitter blow for separated child refugees”.

“We have real concerns that children will hear about the government’s decision to remove protections and fear the route to family reunion will be closed by Brexit,” said Beth Gardiner-Smith, its chief executive.

“And we know that, when legal routes aren’t available, children are more likely to be pushed into the hands of smugglers, and risk their lives taking dangerous journeys.”

And Tim Farron, the former Lib Dem leader, said: “These Tory MPs get irritated when they are labelled as insular and inhumane, but by blocking our amendment today they have earned those labels.”

The prime minister has faced increasing criticism of the removal of the commitment – granted by Theresa May’s government, in 2018 – to work with the EU to give refugee children sanctuary.

Before Christmas, youngsters were among migrants in Dunkirk and Calais forced to sleep rough with no toilets or running water when the authorities cleared away their tents.

Clare Moseley, the director of Care4Calais, said “We have many very young Afghan boys here. Some are under 13.

“Nearly all the young people here are trying to reach family in the UK. That is the only reason anyone would put up with the horrible conditions here.”

Downing Street has tried to argue that “nothing has changed” because it remains the aim to reach an agreement to bring over child refugees where possible.

But this was undermined by clause 37 of the bill, which replaces the commitment with a need to simply “make a statement” – once – on the progress of the talks after Brexit.

Sir Keir Starmer, the shadow Brexit secretary, and former Labour MP Alf Dubs, who fled from the Nazis on the Kindertransport to Britain when he just six years old, had urged Tory MPs to join them.

“We know that there are many Conservative MPs, including some sat around the cabinet table, who know that this decision was wrong,” they wrote, in a joint letter.

“Boris Johnson may have won a majority in parliament, but he did not win the moral argument to absolve himself of responsibility to some of the most vulnerable people in the world.”

A government spokesperson said: “Protecting vulnerable children will remain our priority after Brexit and this new clause reaffirms our commitment while clarifying the role of parliament and government in negotiations.”