In the latest outrage of Tory asylum policy, refugees were placed in a holding camp between two shooting clubs in Essex – greeted by gunfire and no doubt dredging up ghastly memories
Some people may not want refugees camped on their doorsteps. Yet with 13,000 crossing the Channel so far this year, they have to go somewhere.
But as ministers battle local objections they must also show compassion and Âunderstanding in the choice of locations. Otherwise, they inflict additional suffering on those who have already been left terror-stricken by the wars raging in the countries from which they fled.
That is why it is mindless cruelty to site a holding camp between two shooting clubs in Wethersfield, Essex. When the first 50 of 1,700 refugees arrived on Wednesday, they were greeted by the sound of gunfire. What ghastly memories that must have provoked.
Of course the boats should be stopped. But Rishi Sunak cannot pin his hopes on Rwanda as the deterrent. Even if the Supreme Court does give the go-ahead, flights cannot begin until January.