Skip to content

Ukraine war: Diane Abbott on lack for help for Calais refugees

Home Secretary Priti Patel should address the "cruel and chaotic way" that Ukrainian refugees heading to the UK are being treated, Diane Abbott has said.

The Labour MP asked the foreign secretary if she thought redirecting applicants to Paris and Brussels brought the UK into disrepute.

Liz Truss replied that Britain had staff in Poland and Hungary, and also now in Lille to help, with an office in Westminster for MPs to take any cases.

Live news and updates on Ukraine war

8 March 2022

Russia-Ukraine war

Refugees and asylum seekers

Explore More

Liam Love served with the Royal Anglian Regiment

'It was the call I hoped I'd never take'

Rishi Sunak wearing a blue suit and a grey tie, standing in the Commons

Sunak on Budget: Broken promise after broken promise

Rachel Reeves

Budget choices are not easy but responsible - Reeves

Sir Keir Starmer at PMQs

Starmer thanks Sunak for hard work, commitment and decency

Rachel Reeves

Watch: Reeves 'deeply proud' to be first female chancellor

Still where police is cuffing Parslow on the floor

Moment man who stabbed asylum seeker is arrested

Hereford & Worcester

Baron Mackinlay of Richborough in formal robes shaking hands in the House of Lords.

'Bionic lord' takes up seat in Parliament

Boris Johnson wearing a suit and headphones speaking into a mic in a BBC radio studio

Watch: Fiery exchange as Boris Johnson asked if he is a 'liar'

Ukrainian armed forces truck driving off road as it attempts to evade Russian fire

'We were surrounded by Russian troops - but escaped'

Arms depot explosion in Russia

Watch: Huge explosion at Russia arms depot

Hand choosing a ball as part of the private member's bill ballot 2024

Watch: The lottery-style ballot that can change the law

A group of migrants, a number of whom are wearing life jackets, can be seen crowded into the boat.

Crowded boat attempts Channel journey a day after fatalities

Keir Starmer in Commons

Watch: PM apologises to Grenfell families

Keir Starmer an PMQs

PMQs heats up as leaders clash over winter fuel payments

Damaged building in Poltava, Ukraine, after missile strike

Aftermath of deadly Russian attack on Ukrainian city

French athletes with paralympic flame in Channel Tunnel

Watch: Paralympic flame's journey under the sea to France

Lady standing by road with flowers

Russians tell BBC they are worried and angry at Ukraine incursion

A riotous crowd gathered around a police van, with several members of the group pushing up against the van making it wobble, taken from inside the Rotherham Holiday Inn Express on 4 August

Watch: Footage shows panic inside Rotherham asylum hotel during riot

South Yorkshire

Journalist wearing a protective helmet speaks into the camera as troops behind her remove a Russian flag from a building.

Ukrainian TV films inside Russia as flag removed

Composite image shows an aeroplane in the air, a Russian flag being removed and debris on a road

BBC Verify analyses footage of Ukraine's incursion into Russia

Lindsay Hoyle dragged by both arms

Watch: Moment Speaker dragged to Commons chair

In a traditional part of the process, the successful candidate pretends to be reluctant to take up the role.

Correspondent Ben Chu

Quick take on Labour's energy plan

BBC Verify's Ben Chu on what to make of Labour’s plans to decarbonise UK electricity production.

Chris Mason and Mark Logan

Watch: Former Tory MP says he is backing Labour

The former Conservative MP for Bolton North East has told the BBC he now supports Labour.

Factory workers in Milton Keynes

Watch: Party leaders on the campaign trail

Political party leaders have been out and about campaigning ahead of the general election.

Keir Starmer

I want the highest quality candidates - Starmer

The Labour leader says he wants the "highest quality" candidates to put to the voters.

Carla Denyer

Greens launch campaign target of 'at least four' MPs

The Green Party of England and Wales launch their election campaign in Bristol.

Faiza Shaheen talking on BBC Newsnight

Labour candidate says she's been blocked from standing

Faiza Shaheen says she's was told she will not be Labour's candidate after allegedly liking antisemitic posts on X.

Rishi Sunak

Rishi Sunak tells Chris Mason: Yes, I am changing minds

The PM tells the BBC's political editor he is "thoroughly enjoying" himself out meeting voters in the election campaign.

Sir Keir Starmer wearing a suit and a brown tie

Not true Abbott barred from standing - Starmer

The Labour leader says no decision has been taken to bar Diane Abbott.

Keir Starmer

Starmer pleased Rayner has been 'vindicated'

Labour's leader says he always had confidence in his deputy with the row over her council house sale.

Ed Davey falls from a paddle board

Going, going, gone: Ed Davey takes a dip in Windermere

The Liberal Democrats leader was paddle boarding on Lake Windermere in the Lake District.

Rishi Sunak

Watch: PM criticises Sir Keir Starmer's campaign speeches

The prime minister accused Labour's Sir Keir Starmer of "not having the courage" to tell voters about Labour ideas.

Nigel Farage

Labour and Tories are both 'social democrats', says Farage

Nigel Farage was speaking in Dover, as part of his campaign for Reform UK.

Sir Keir Starmer

Starmer asked if there's a 'lack of enthusiasm' for Labour

Labour leader Keir Starmer is pressed on whether there's a perceived lack of enthusiasm for his party.

Rachel Reeves

Reeves: No return to austerity under Labour

The shadow chancellor is quizzed on her economic plans should Labour win the general election.

Rishi Sunak

Sunak 'disappointed' smoking ban bill did not get through

The PM says he "stepped up to do something that is bold" over his bid to phase out smoking.

Craig Mackinlay MP

Watch: Limb loss MP on his return to Parliament

Craig Mackinlay says he was met by "a storm" of noise when he returned to the House of Commons

Rishi Sunak

Oops! Sunak asks if Welsh are looking forward to Euros

On a campaign trip, the PM asks voters if they will watch the football tournament, even though Wales did not qualify.

Richard Tice

Tories 'terrified' of Reform Party - Richard Tice

The Reform Party leader says Rishi Sunak "bottled it" over calling a surprise general election for July.

Sir Keir Starmer

A vote for Labour is a vote to stop the chaos - Starmer

On the first full day of election campaigning the Labour leader says "nothing will change" if the Conservatives get back into power on July 5.