31 July 2015

David Cameron has come under heavy criticism for likening migrants wanting to enter Britain to a swarm.

Speaking on migrants in Calais attempting to cross the border, Cameron said; “you have got a swarm of people coming across the Mediterranean, seeking a better life, wanting to come to Britain because Britain has got jobs, it’s got a growing economy, it’s an incredible place to live. But we need to protect our borders by working hand in glove with our neighbours, the French, and that is exactly what we are doing.”

Dr Lisa Doyle of the Refugee Council commented; “It’s extremely disappointing to hear the prime minister using such irresponsible, dehumanising language to describe the desperate men, women and children fleeing for their lives across the Mediterranean Sea.

“This sort of rhetoric is extremely inflammatory and comes at a time when the government should be focused on working with its European counterparts to respond calmly and compassionately to this dreadful humanitarian crisis.”

Harriet Harman said the prime minister “should remember he is talking about people, not insects. I think it’s a very worrying turn that he appears to be wanting to be divisive and set people against, whip people up against, the migrants in Calais.”