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Syrian conflict: David Cameron urged to accept lone children Syrian conflict: David Cameron urged to accept lone children
(about 4 hours later)
The government is coming under increasing pressure to accept 3,000 child refugees from the Syrian war who have made it into Europe unaccompanied.The government is coming under increasing pressure to accept 3,000 child refugees from the Syrian war who have made it into Europe unaccompanied.
A group of former Jewish refugees who came to the UK in the "Kindertransport" rescue efforts of the 1930s have urged the PM to "demonstrate compassion".A group of former Jewish refugees who came to the UK in the "Kindertransport" rescue efforts of the 1930s have urged the PM to "demonstrate compassion".
Ministers argue that offering sanctuary to lone children could result in more falling into the hands of traffickers.Ministers argue that offering sanctuary to lone children could result in more falling into the hands of traffickers.
MPs will vote on the issue next week, with ministers facing possible defeat.MPs will vote on the issue next week, with ministers facing possible defeat.
BBC political correspondent Chris Mason says there is a growing expectation that ministers might be about to change their minds.
In a letter to David Cameron, Sir Erich Reich, chairman of Kindertransport-Association of Jewish Refugees, called on the PM to do more to help "the most vulnerable victims" of the Syrian conflict.In a letter to David Cameron, Sir Erich Reich, chairman of Kindertransport-Association of Jewish Refugees, called on the PM to do more to help "the most vulnerable victims" of the Syrian conflict.
He said it was "incumbent on us to provide sanctuary to those in need".He said it was "incumbent on us to provide sanctuary to those in need".
'Great sadness' Analysis
Political correspondent Ross Hawkins
Conservative rebels are increasingly confident the government will accept more unaccompanied child refugees. One former cabinet minister told me ministers would probably make concessions, adding: "If we fall from the moral high ground into a ditch it doesn't do us much good."
A government source said there was a mood for compromise before Monday's vote. But the last thing ministers want is an announcement that smacks of a complete U-turn.
A widely-discussed idea would see the authorities accept more lone refugee children who have family in the UK under existing rules; only a tiny number have come in on this basis. It isn't yet clear though how many more could be swiftly located and helped.
What matters now is not simply whether the government shifts its line - that looks highly likely - but how many more lone children it accepts. Even rebellious Tories certain the government will retreat are unsure by how far.
The government has said it will accept up to 3,000 refugees, mostly vulnerable children, from the Middle East and North Africa by 2020.The government has said it will accept up to 3,000 refugees, mostly vulnerable children, from the Middle East and North Africa by 2020.
But critics say that will do nothing to help the thousands of unaccompanied refugee children who have made it to Europe, but are at risk of trafficking and abuse. In September 2015 the government said the UK will accept up to 20,000 refugees from Syria over the next five years.
But critics say the moves will do nothing to help the thousands of unaccompanied refugee children who have made it to Europe, but are at risk of trafficking and abuse.
Ministers in turn argue that accepting such children could encourage more families to put their children at risk by sending them to Europe alone.Ministers in turn argue that accepting such children could encourage more families to put their children at risk by sending them to Europe alone.
Last week MPs voted against an attempt to force the government to allow 3,000 unaccompanied child refugees into the UK, but the issue is set to return to the Commons.Last week MPs voted against an attempt to force the government to allow 3,000 unaccompanied child refugees into the UK, but the issue is set to return to the Commons.
In his letter, Sir Erich, who was among thousands of Jewish children rescued from Nazi Germany, said he had learned of the rejection of the resettlement proposal "with great sadness".In his letter, Sir Erich, who was among thousands of Jewish children rescued from Nazi Germany, said he had learned of the rejection of the resettlement proposal "with great sadness".
'Internecine conflict''Internecine conflict'
He added: "I strongly urge you and your colleagues to reconsider how we can intervene to help some of the most vulnerable victims of an internecine conflict that has claimed the lives of thousands of people and displaced millions.He added: "I strongly urge you and your colleagues to reconsider how we can intervene to help some of the most vulnerable victims of an internecine conflict that has claimed the lives of thousands of people and displaced millions.
"The echoes of the past haunt many of my fellow Kinder and I whose fate similarly rested with members of the British parliament."The echoes of the past haunt many of my fellow Kinder and I whose fate similarly rested with members of the British parliament.
"I feel it is incumbent on us to once again demonstrate our compassion and human-kindness to provide sanctuary to those in need.""I feel it is incumbent on us to once again demonstrate our compassion and human-kindness to provide sanctuary to those in need."
Downing Street has said it will take into account what it called the "strong views" that had been expressed.Downing Street has said it will take into account what it called the "strong views" that had been expressed.
Labour MP Yvette Cooper, who chairs her party's refugee taskforce, will fly to Greece later to look at the issue first hand.Labour MP Yvette Cooper, who chairs her party's refugee taskforce, will fly to Greece later to look at the issue first hand.