Britain opens doors to hundreds of Syrian refugees

Hundreds of Syrian refugees including sexually abused children, survivors of torture and the elderly will be allowed to enter Britain, Nick Clegg has announced.

The Deputy Prime Minister said that Britain has a "moral responsibility" to continue its "long and proud tradition" of providing refuge when people are in crisis.

The government has not signed up to take a quota of refugees under a United Nations scheme, but will instead target those who are judged by the UN Human Rights Commission to be most in need.

In total, about 500 Syrian refugees are expected to come to Britain. Mr Clegg said: “We are one of the most open hearted countries in the world and I believe we have a moral responsibility to help.

“The UN High Commission for Refugees has said the highest priority should go to women and girls who have experienced or are at risk of sexual violence; the elderly; survivors of torture and individuals with disabilities, so that’s who we’ll target.