Ukraine: Sadiq Khan says UK should do more to help refugeeson March 26, 2022 at 6:27 pm

- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -
- Advertisement -

The London mayor calls the actions of the government “embarrassing” compared with other countries.

Sadiq Khan at march for Ukraine in London

Image source, Aaron Chown/PA Wire

The UK should be doing “much more” to help Ukrainian refugees, London mayor Sadiq Khan has said.

Mr Khan joined a large crowd that gathered near Hyde Park ahead of a march in solidarity with the war-torn country.

The Labour mayor said the actions of the UK government compared with other European countries were “embarrassing”.

Mr Khan said it needed to be made “much more easier for those who are fleeing Ukraine to come here”.

Earlier this month the government opened it Homes for Ukraine scheme, which allows UK nationals to individually sponsor a Ukrainian national’s visa so that those without family connections can still come to live with a host family in the UK.

March for Ukraine in London

Protesters made their way towards Trafalgar Square whilst holding Ukrainian flags and banners that said “stop Putin’s war”, “no fly zone” and “solidarity with Ukraine”.

The crowd chanted “we stand with Ukraine” as traffic behind was brought to a standstill.

About 10 million people have fled their homes in Ukraine because of the Russian invasion, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said.

As well as the 3.6 million who have left for neighbouring countries, another estimated 6.5 million people are thought to be displaced inside the war-torn country itself.

Presentational grey line

At the scene

By Chi Chi Izundu, BBC News

A group of children clutching balloons in the colours of the Ukrainian flag marched in the heat of the sun in central London leading today’s protest.

Joined by thousands of others, mini flags were being handed out for people to show their solidarity.

A sea of blue and yellow surrounded Nelson’s column as special guests addressed the crowd, trying to teach Ukrainian phrases.

Most of the people that we stopped to speak to were either Ukrainian born or had Ukrainian links, like Olaksana. She told us that her family had just fled Kharkiv and were in Hungary and Germany.

She said: “It is really hard to be in another country when your country is suffering.

“The least I can do is come to this protest and the least I can do is stand with Ukraine and unite as a nation and show the world they’re not going to kill us as a nation.”

Presentational grey line
People take part in a solidarity march in London for Ukraine, following the Russian invasion

Image source, Aaron Chown/PA Wire

Mr Khan praised the actions of Londoners who had “shown that we’re opening our arms to Ukrainian refugees, whether it’s by donating money to those charities doing a brilliant job in Ukraine or by opening our homes to those fleeing Ukraine”.

“I’m full of admiration for anybody who has the space to provide a room for those who have fled Ukraine,” he said.

“It’s really important families are not left to their own devices, the government has to step up and support them.”

The BBC has contacted the Home Office for comment.

Presentational grey line

Follow BBC London on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hellobbclondon@bbc.co.uk

- Advertisement -

Discover

Sponsor

Latest

Mahsa Amini: Iran police say woman’s death was ‘unfortunate’on September 19, 2022 at 12:26 pm

Mahsa Amini, 22, collapsed after being held by morality police for allegedly breaking hijab rules.Image source, WANA NEWS AGENCYTehran's police chief says the death...

Desmond Tutu – the staunch and steadfast healer of a nationon December 27, 2021 at 11:15 am

How Desmond Tutu went from public enemy No1 to the pastor of a nation.How Desmond Tutu went from public enemy No1 to the pastor...

‘Watching England at Wembley was unbelievable – I can’t wait to see what Silverstone will be like’on July 14, 2021 at 10:51 am

W Series driver and BBC Sport columnist Jamie Chadwick has been gorging on sport this summer - now it's her turn to shine.

The Papers: ‘Pure gold’ at Olympics and tags for burglars planon July 26, 2021 at 11:07 pm

The papers cover the UK's gold medals in Tokyo and government plans for a "crackdown" on crime.

Style influencers are considered experts in fashion

His wherein male land form. Own whose they're gathered is let male kind from. A you'll life waters evening fly female won't...