Tory MP accused of ‘immoral and offensive bile’ over Ukrainian refugees

A Conservative MP has been accused by a senior colleague of spouting “utterly risible, illiterate, immoral and offensive bile” over Ukrainian refugees.

Daniel Kawczynski claimed “British left-wing parties” are making “illiterate and immoral” demands for the UK to accept more people fleeing the war with Russia.

The MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham argued that Britain should instead support Ukrainian’s in nearby Poland and Romania because they “will need to return home to rebuild their country” when the war is over.

But Simon Hoare, chairman of the Commons Northern Ireland Committee, 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.”

The online dispute came as the Tories, and Home Secretary Priti Patel in particular, were under pressure to improve British efforts to help those fleeing the war.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is resisting widespread calls, including from Kyiv, to drop visa requirements for Ukrainians, instead insisting security checks are needed to prevent the Russian president Vladimir Putin sending agents to the UK.

Despite more than 2.1 million people fleeing Ukraine, according to UN estimates, the latest figures from Downing Street say the UK has granted just 957 visas.

Against this backdrop, Mr Kawczynski tweeted: “British Left wing parties demand Britain takes in more Ukrainian refugees. This is illiterate and immoral.

“When war is over Ukrainians will need to return home to rebuild their country. We should be supporting Ukrainian refugees in frontline states like Poland & Romania.”

Mr Kawczynski went on to delete the tweet and block the Twitter account of the PA news agency journalist who reported on Mr Hoare’s criticism.

Later, speaking to BBC Radio Shropshire, he said: “I think I’m actually going to leave Twitter because you can’t really explain yourself in 240 characters.

“I’m the only MP born in Poland … I feel passionately about this issue and I’m appalled by what the brutal Russian regime are doing to these people.

“I put this tweet because I genuinely feel the best way we can help is to send money to support these people for the next weeks, months, maybe even years.”

In January, Mr Kawczynski was suspended from the Commons for a day for undermining an apology he gave for bullying staff.