There is a simple moral rule for nations seeking to help people flee from war – let them in.
Historically, the UK has an enviable track record in welcoming refugees from conflict but the warped politics of Brexit is endangering that reputation.
The offer from Home Secretary Priti Patel to allow more Ukrainians in was quickly exposed as an offer to do little more than restate what is currently available.
That is that immediate relatives of Ukrainians living in the UK can apply to join them in short order.
We must do more and we are capable of doing more.
The EU, some of whose members will face a far larger influx than the UK, have opened their doors and their homes to refugees fleeing the fighting.
Germany, along with other nations, has promised “we will take everyone in” and offered visa-free travel for Ukrainians.
In contrast, the UK offers confusing bureaucratic advice.
It insisted that Ukrainians in Scotland on the eve of hostilities - like bride Natalya Fisher – head home to complete biometric forms that are now rendered useless by closed consulates and rockets raining down on their homeland.
It is shameful that Natalya and her husband are now separated by a continent and conflict because they chose to obey rules that were being undermined each hour by gathering Russian forces.
Visa-free travel to the UK and the right to remain until it is safe to return home is now a must for Ukrainians. The bureaucracy can be sorted out later.
The time to mix sport and politics
The Scottish Football Association’s decision to join with the other home nations in a boycott of international matches with Russia is the right one in the face of the invasion of Ukraine.
The stance taken by the SFA and other sporting bodies will add considerably to the pressure on Putin for the outrage he has committed against a neighbouring country.
It is often said that sport should be above politics but the history of international affairs shows that the two are intimately intertwined.
Boycotting Russia on the sporting field and other areas of cultural life will have an impact.
Vladimir Putin’s pride will be hurt more immediately by the wise use of soft power against him than the hard bite of sanctions.
A unified approach on and off the field will also continue to show Ukrainians that they are not alone.
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