A CROSS-PARTY group of MPs has made a direct appeal to Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab for more help for UK citizens left stranded abroad and struggling during the coronavirus lockdown.
People who travelled before the ban and have been unable to get home from Argentina, Pakistan, Gambia and other nations have accused British embassies of failing to support them.
Yesterday The National told how Angus MP Dave Doogan (above) had spent two weeks trying to help a constituent who is stuck in Ghanaian capital Accra.
He said members of the public were being told to contact an “inoperative” Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) email account, telephone calls were going unanswered and conflicting advice was being given to those affected.
It’s not known how many UK citizens are still abroad, but the UK Government has said it could range from 300,000 to one million and insists it has “teams around the world” who are “working urgently to ensure that governments have sensible plans to enable the return of British and other travellers”.
And it has also emerged that the UK has secured European Union support to help cover repatriation costs and bring people home from America and other countries.
But the MP group – which includes the SNP’s Alyn Smith, Caroline Lucas of the Green Party, Plaid Cymru’s Liz Saville-Roberts, Colum Eastwood of the SDLP and Stephen Farry of the Alliance Party – are pressing the Foreign Secretary for further action for those running out of money, medicine and supplies overseas.
In a letter to Raab, they say commercial flights alone are not an “adequate solution for our constituents”, with many airlines unable to operate due to virus control restrictions and others now charging “exorbitant” prices.
The message states: “You will be aware of widespread concern across the House that many of us have significant numbers of constituents trapped abroad, far from home and their loved ones during this unprecedented crisis. Many are running out of funds or medicine – in some cases both.
“We agree that the commercial airlines are the fastest way back for people trapped abroad, but we recognise that this alone is not an adequate solution for our constituents. Many airlines are unable to fly due to travel restrictions while others are charging exorbitant prices.
“We are pleased to see some evacuation charters being organised, as well as co-operation with EU countries, and would urge this to be stepped up.
“We would also like to offer our thanks to FCO staff, who we know are working hard in difficult circumstances. Not only will further evacuation flights alleviate pressure on them and the FCO network, but it is becoming clear that such flights are now the only answer to a pressing problem which will only get worse in the absence of increased action from the UK Government.”
Smith commented: “There are serious concerns that a significant number of UK nationals and constituents trapped abroad – through no fault of their own – are facing extreme difficulties and are increasingly being pushed towards hardship. We are hearing worrying accounts of UK citizens who are running out of money, medicines and supplies, while still being left in the dark about how they can return home.”
Scotland is in lockdown. Shops are closing and newspaper sales are falling fast. It’s no exaggeration to say that the future of The National is at stake. Please consider supporting us through this with a digital subscription from just £2 for 2 months by following this link: http://www.thenational.scot/subscribe. Thanks – and stay safe.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel