Alex Salmond: Refugee crisis must not be cover for military intervention

The SNP’s foreign affairs spokesman at Westminster Alex Salmond has said the party will “force the matter” of the humanitarian crisis of refugees fleeing Syria in the House of Commons.

It is thought David Cameron will outline a plan to resettle “thousands” of refugees from the Syrian civil war when he addresses the Commons later today, and the question of whether the UK should engage in military action in the region is also expected to be raised.

In a series of tweets this morning Salmond said it was “not possible to create a coherent European response to this crisis unless the UK is prepared to do its bit.”

The SNP will argue three points, according to the former First Minister.

“Firstly, the UK should be part of the refugee solution and accept our fair share. Secondly, the crisis should not be used as a cover for military intervention by the UK in Syria. Third, we should sponsor a renewed UN initiative to secure safe corridors & camps throughout the Middle East.”

The party has said it will dedicate its opposition day debate on Wednesday to the crisis.

UK chancellor George Osborne said yesterday the West was not doing enough to contain the terrorist group Islamic State.

It is thought Labour’s position on military action will depend on the result of its leadership election, with front runner Jeremy Corbyn firmly opposed.

Osborne also announced a “fundamental rethink” of the UK’s foreign aid budget which included the suggestion of diverting funds from international development to local authorities to help Syrian refugees settle in the UK.

And on Saturday the Scottish Government announced a £1m taskforce to support the settlement of refugees in Scotland after a summit of political leaders, charities and local authorities.