Minister Refuses To Apologise For Suggesting Ukrainian Refugees Come To UK To Pick Fruit

Kevin Foster was widely criticised for making the comment in a now-deleted tweet.
Immigration minister Kevin Foster
Immigration minister Kevin Foster
UK Parliament

A Conservative minister has refused to apologise for suggesting Ukrainian refugees come to the UK to pick fruit.

Kevin Foster said they could apply to the Home Office’s seasonal worker scheme in order to get into Britain.

He made the remark in a tweet on Saturday night which he was later forced to delete following a wave of criticism.

Kevin Foster's tweet
Kevin Foster's tweet
Twitter

During Home Office questions in the Commons, shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock called on Foster to say sorry.

He said: “That tweet really was the modern-day equivalent of ‘let them eat cake’.

“Thankfully the minister has deleted it, but will he now come to this dispatch box to unconditionally apologise for that tweet and will he also offer swift and well-managed, safe sanctuary to these victims of Putin’s barbarity who require our support.”

But Foster completely ignored Kinnock’s request and said Home Secretary Priti Patel would be announcing further moves to allow refugees fleeing the war in Ukraine to settle in the UK.

On Sunday night, Downing Street said Ukrainians with immediate family in the UK will be able to move to this country.

However, Labour said that fell well short of demands for all Ukrainians to be allowed to move to Britain should they wish.

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