Visa agony must stop now, Boris

Although Boris Johnson had one eye on a great photo op on his surprise visit to Kyiv yesterday, there is no doubting the genuine friendship between our PM and Volodymyr Zelensky.

The Ukrainian president was certainly also grateful for Mr Johnson’s offer of extra British weaponry while there.

On the international stage, Mr Johnson has shown Britain to be Ukraine’s staunchest ally, committed to Ukrainian independence and standing by the Ukrainian people in their hour of need. But that story is disturbingly different closer to home.

What Ukrainian people fleeing war need most is sanctuary, and 200,000 big-hearted British families are ready to open their homes to provide it. Yet only 1,200 Ukrainian refugees have arrived here so far under the Homes for Ukraine scheme.

That is because Priti Patel is not issuing them with visas quickly enough. The Home Secretary promised Ukrainian MP Lesia Vasylenko she would ensure visas were processed in three days. That was three weeks ago.

Ms Vasylenko is an impressive MP. And she is not impressed by Ms Patel’s dilly-dallying.

In Kyiv yesterday, Mr Johnson showed President Zelensky the firm hand of friendship.

Now the PM needs to take a firm hand with Ms Patel – and tell her that if she cannot sort out this mess, he will find someone who can.