This is a follow-up to a previous letter to the Immigration Minister

Dear James,

Further to my previous email about the loss of refugees and migrants in the Mediterranean, I am writing to you about the leaked EU statement on the refugee and migrant crisis in the Mediterranean. For your reference, you can find more information here.

The statement suggests that European leaders will not back the reintroduction of a wide-ranging and comprehensive search and rescue operation. In my opinion, it is clear that the Triton approach is failing, and a search-and-rescue programme, akin to Mare Nostrum, needs to be re-established as a matter of priority.

I am also extremely concerned to read that the majority of people would be returned to their country of origin, and that this decision will be determined before many have arrived. I do not believe that it is just or fair to predetermine resettlement, particularly when taking into account that the majority of those attempting to cross the Mediterranean are from Libya, Syria, Eritrea, Iraq and Somalia. It is clear that those travelling from war-torn countries may have legitimate reasons to seek refuge, and it would be neither safe, lawful nor moral to return anyone to obvious risks, particularly without hearing evidence of their cases.

I would, therefore, like to reiterate that the UK Government should be pushing for a properly funded, and resourced, search and rescue programme as a matter of urgency. I would also urge the UK Government to call for the EU to reconsider plans to return refugees and asylum seekers, and instead focus on delivering humanitarian aid to countries in conflict.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this matter.