Ukrainian orphans' journey to Scotland delayed

Orphans evacuated from Ukraine by an Edinburgh charity have been delayed in flying to the UK due to paperwork problems.

The children from Dnipro, who range from infants to young adults, were due to fly from Poland to London with carers on Monday, then travel to Scotland.

However, a document from the Ukrainian government was not sent in time.

The Virgin flight is not expected to take place before Wednesday.

The charity Dnipro Kids, which was set up by Hibs FC fans, enabled the children to flee Ukraine for Poland.

The Home Office said delays took place due to problems authorising the backgrounds of the children, who do not have family members to act on their behalf.

A spokesperson added: "It is right that we only move these children once we have the full, written agreement of their home and host governments."The home secretary and her counterparts in the Ukrainian, Polish and Scottish government are united in their determination to ensure these children get the support and care they need."

The children were due to arrive in Scotland on Wednesday - initially spending a few weeks in Callander before moving to Edinburgh.

They have been staying at a hotel while Home Office paperwork was completed.

Home Secretary Priti Patel announced last week that the Ukrainian authorities had confirmed they would be allowed to seek temporary sanctuary in Scotland.

The SNP's Westminster leader, Ian Blackford, said: "We've been up against a race against time to get the paperwork that needs to be in place signed off on and there's been a delay on that.

"So, for the time being, it means that nothing is going to happen today."

He said the children's welfare had to come first, adding: "I will work with all to make sure this is brought to a safe conclusion."

Dnipro Kids chairman Steven Carr, who led the evacuation effort from Lviv in Ukraine and Poland, travelled to Poland on Monday to accompany the group on their flight to London.

Earlier, he told BBC Radio Scotland's Good Morning Scotland programme he had promised they would be shown some "proper Scottish hospitality".

"The kids are doing fine, especially for the younger ones it's still all a big adventure for them." Mr Carr said.

"The orphanage mothers, not so much. It's very emotional for them and obviously for what we are intending to do they have had a lot of questions, asking about us.

"But I have given them assurances that the Scottish people are ready to welcome them."

The whole group will be staying together in a hostel to acclimatise, then will move as family groups.

Mr Carr added: "In Ukraine they have what they call family-type orphanages where they have groups of children together with an orphanage mother who takes care of them. We have no intention of splitting these groups up.

"The mothers have to stay with them, they are the legal guardians.

"They are coming here and we are going to look after them, but it is only until such a time as they can go back to Ukraine."

But he said the situation in Ukraine was horrendous and very worrying for the orphanage mothers and the older children who understand what is happening in their home country.

Mr Carr also paid tribute to Mr Blackford, who has been working with the charity to secure the children's passage to the UK.

Up to 3,000 people fleeing the conflict in Ukraine will be offered immediate temporary accommodation in Scotland.

The Scottish government has also announced a further £15m of funding will be made available to help refugees, including £11m for local councils and £2.5m for temporary accommodation.