Government has been too ‘weak’ and ‘slow’
LIB DEM LEADER HITS OUT AT UK RESPONSE
THE UK Government has been “way too slow” and “much too weak” on sanctions against the Kremlin, the leader of the Liberal Democrats will argue in a speech today.
Sir Ed Davey is also expected to accuse the Home Secretary of “turning away the innocent victims of a tyrant’s bombs”, and call for a coordinated humanitarian response to all refugees fleeing war and terror.
Meanwhile, he will claim the Tories have been “soft on a criminal in No 10”, referring to accusations that Boris Johnson broke coronavirus laws.
It comes after the Lib Dem leader said Mr Johnson has a poor reputation on the international stage and should resign over lockdown party claims despite dealing with the Ukraine crisis.
Sir Ed said he did not share the same view as Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer, who in the wake of the Russian invasion has tempered his demand for the Prime Minister to step down over the so-called partygate saga.
In a speech at the Lib Dem spring conference in York today, he will urge stronger international cooperation to counter the threat posed by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime.
“If we are to stop Putin, we must remember the simple truth demonstrated so clearly these past few weeks. We are stronger when we act together,” he will say.
“We must fight now for that safer, more Liberal world. To reverse this Government’s cuts to our armed forces and work with our allies, so Putin understands that free nations will stand united against him.
“For far tougher sanctions, where Boris Johnson’s Government has been way too slow, and much too weak.
“For a coordinated humanitarian response to all refugees fleeing war and terror, whether from Ukraine, Syria or Afghanistan. Where we never again have a Home Secretary turning away the innocent victims of a tyrant’s bombs.”
Mr Davey’s condemnation of the Government’s response to the crisis followed a scathing verbal attack on the UK by French president Emmanuel Macron for failing to live up to its “grand statements” on helping Ukrainian refugees.
His comments came as the Government intends to further ramp up pressure on the Kremlin.
In an update yesterday, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) said fighting to the north-west of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv continued, with the bulk of Russian ground forces now about 25 kilometres from its centre.
Elements of the large Russian column north of Kyiv have dispersed, the MOD added, which it said is likely to support an attempt by the aggressors to encircle the city.
The Ukrainian government said a mosque in the city of Mariupol had been shelled by the Russian military. The mosque was said to be sheltering more than 80 people. There were no reported casualties.
Speaking at the end of an EU summit in Versailles on Friday, Mr Macron criticised Britain’s visa policy, which required applicants to make them in person in Brussels or Paris.
According to The Guardian, the French president said this further exacerbated circumstances for those fleeing the war.
He added: “Despite all the grand statements... the British government continued to apply current rules that meant they did not welcome Ukrainian refugees who wanted to reach British soil saying they have to travel hundreds of kilometres in order to apply for a visa.”