Priti Patel rejects call for visa waiver for Ukrainians fleeing war zone

British Home Secretary Priti Patel who has written to MPs imploring them to back controversial legislation that was mauled by peers, arguing too many criminals are “getting off” with light sentences while the Bill is in limbo (Aaron Chown/PA)

Priti Patel ruled out a visa waiver for Ukrainians fleeing the conflict with Russia because of fears that Moscow’s troops and extremists could seek to come to the UK.

The British Home Secretary, who has come under intense political pressure from MPs across the Commons to do more to allow Ukrainian refugees to reach the UK, insisted she was taking action to open safe routes.