Patel warns of Moscow agents among refugees

THE Home Secretary has warned that lax controls on Ukrainian refugees could result in “an influx of agents working for the Putin regime” after saying that it was “naive” to believe that only men could pose a security threat.

Defending checks being carried out on those fleeing the conflict, Priti Patel cited the Salisbury attack in 2018 as an example of how a “small number” of people can “wreak utter havoc” by slipping into the UK undetected.

Her remarks follow a wave of criticism earlier this month over the visa application process for fleeing Ukrainian refugees, who were initially told they need to have in-person biometric checks to obtain a visa and gain entry.

Addressing the Conservative Party spring conference in Blackpool yesterday, Ms Patel warned about the threat of chemical, biological and cyber attacks from Russia.

“I’ve been asked why couldn’t we suspend security checks on people escaping Putin’s war?” she said. “Times of conflict, my friends, emphasises our need to remain watchful. I know from the briefings I receive from the intelligence and security services that instability around the world brings with it greater threats. Only four years ago, the Russian military intelligence used a chemical weapon on British soil – it happened in Salisbury, whose inhabitants would have felt completely safe.”

Sergei Skripal, a former double agent, and his daughter Yulia spent weeks in intensive care after being poisoned with Novichok. Dawn Sturgess, an innocent member of the public, died after exposure to the nerve agent that the Soviets developed in the Cold War.

Ms Patel went on to say: “Russia has a history of covert, hostile activity. It is naive to think that only men can be covert operatives or that refugee flows would not be subject to exploitation. There are those who would come to our country who would mean us harm and plot to strike at our very way of life.”

A minister involved in the response to the Ukraine crisis said: “The Home Secretary is being as clear as she can be, without publishing security intelligence, that the mass flow of refugees poses an opportunity for Russia.

“The job of the Home Secretary is to keep Britons safe. You have two broad strategies when you receive this intelligence. Firstly, let everybody in and hope for the best. Secondly, put checks and balances in place ensuring people who enter pose no risk to Britain.”