The UK government has been lambasted for reportedly turning away Ukrainians at Calais and being slow to issue visas – with just 50 so far approved.
The exodus of desperate families from Ukraine is fast becoming the biggest refugee crisis in UK and Europe since the Second World War.
But No10 was last night accused of not doing enough to help, as countries across the continent welcomed terrified people fleeing barbaric Vladimir Putin ’s invasion force.
There were even shocking reports of Ukrainians trying to reach Britain being turned back at Calais after making a 1,000-mile trip – as they did not have the right paperwork.
It is also claimed the UK does not have basic facilities in the port city to deal with the refugees, as it emerged only 50 visas had so far been approved.
France branded the situation “inhumane”. And Labour tore into Priti Patel ’s handling of the crisis.
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: “The Home Secretary needs to get a grip. This is shameful.
“She needs to immediately send Home Office officials to set up an emergency centre in Calais so that people can reunite with loved ones.
“They need to simplify the process and issue emergency protection visas rather than making people meet extra bureaucratic family tests which still leave many relatives and friends out.
“This is an international crisis. We need to act urgently and play our part to help.”
More than 1.5 million refugees from Ukraine, including around half a million kids, have crossed into neighbouring countries, such as Poland, Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Moldova in the past 10 days.
Volunteers and aid workers were yesterday providing hot food and drinks, as well as clothes, nappies and other essentials.
Families with ties to the UK are flooding into Calais, hoping to reach these shores.
But the UK scheme is limited to people with certain family members in Britain, such as parents, children and siblings. And they must obtain the correct paperwork.
France claims even those eligible are unable to get visas in Calais itself, instead having to travel to an application centre in Paris or Brussels.
French interior minister Gerald Darmanin said: “I called my British counterpart twice.
“I asked her to set up a consulate in Calais that can process people’s paperwork and issue visas.
“The British must put their rhetoric into action, I’ve heard words of generosity from Boris Johnson. I hope this will allow the English to open their arms and stop the technocratic nit-picking.”
Calais mayor Natacha Bouchart added: “I do not understand why the British government is doing everything so that these nationals who have family in England cannot obtain these visas.”
Ms Patel last night insisted the UK is “doing everything possible” to speed up efforts to grant visas to Ukrainians.
And the Home Secretary, who yesterday visited the Ukrainian Social Club in Holland Park, West London, with Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK, Vadym Prystaiko – denied refugees had been turned back at Calais.
She said: “I have staff in Calais to provide support to Ukrainian families cominge to the UK. It is wrong to say we are not providing support on the ground. We are.”
But the Home Office admitted only “around 50” visas had been given the green light under the Ukraine Family Scheme yesterday.
Around 5,535 online applications have been submitted and 2,368 people had booked a visa appointment.
Aid worker Heather Macey, from Brighton, who is leading a team of 10 International Rescue Committee workers in Poland, yesterday praised Warsaw’s response to the refugee crisis.
The 52-year-old said: “What society is doing to help here is impressive, but the main need is in Ukraine. I’m preparing to take a team there.We expect there will be lots of vulnerable people there who haven’t been able to escape. They’re going to need a lot of help.”
Those crossing into Poland included Kyiv housewife Maryna Novatsky, 38, with her children Demyd, 14, Aliser, 12, and Nika, eight.
Nina Zhurova also arrived with her new born baby daughter. And mum-of-two Lyudmila Khomenko crossed with daughter Asya, 12.
But she told how she left her 18-year-old son in Dnipro to “defend our home and country”
Lyudmila, 40, added: “I am very worried about him.”
