A senior Conservative MP has accused a party colleague of writing “absolutely ridiculous, illiterate, immoral and offensive gall” about Ukrainian refugees.
Daniel Kawczynski claimed on Twitter that “British left-wing parties” were making “illiterate and immoral” calls for Britain to take in more people.
But Simon Hoare, chairman of the Commons’ Northern Ireland Committee, wrote that he “did not speak for the Tory party”.
“I’m not sure you speak for humanity,” he added.
More than 2.1 million people have fled Ukraine since President Vladimir Putin launched Russia’s invasion of the country last month, according to the United Nations.
The UK is allowing entry for relatives of UK-based Ukrainians and pledges to give businesses and individuals the opportunity to sponsor refugees.
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Home Secretary Priti Patel will later brief Parliament on plans to “streamline” Britain’s war refugee assistance programme.
According to the latest figures, only 957 visas have been issued so far, while Poland has taken in about 1.3 million people.
Labor is urging the Government to issue emergency visas which it says would override normal conditions other than security checks, arguing these can be dealt with quickly en route to the UK.
But Mr Kawczynski, MP for Shrewsbury and Atcham, tweeted: “British left parties are calling for Britain to take in more Ukrainian refugees. This is illiterate and immoral.
“When the war is over, Ukrainians must return home to rebuild their country. We should support Ukrainian refugees in frontline states like Poland and Romania.”
This prompted an angry response from Mr Hoare, MP for North Dorset, who tweeted: “What absolutely ridiculous, illiterate, immoral and offensive gall. Didn’t you hear what @BorisJohnson said?
“You don’t speak for the Tory party. I’m not sure you speak for humanity #whitehotfury.”
Mr Kawczynski, who has since deleted his tweet, told BBC Radio Shropshire Mr Putin wanted Ukraine to be “ethnic cleansing”.
He added he was “scared” that Britain and other countries were “playing into Putin’s hands”.
“I think I’m going to leave Twitter because you can’t explain yourself in 240 characters,” said Mr. Kawczynski.
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