Phil Wilson, MP for Sedgefield, voted in favour of allowing 3000 unaccompanied refugee children from Europe to come to the UK.

The amendment, tabled by Labour Peer Lord Dubs, would have required the government to relocate and support 3000 unaccompanied refugee children who are in Europe.

According to groups including UNICEF and Save the Children, 3000 would represent a ‘fair share’ of the UK’s contribution to tackling the growing problem of child refugees in Europe.

It is estimated that there are as many as 26,000 refugee children across Europe, many of whom are fleeing fighting I Syria.

The amendment follows repeated calls by Labour on the government to do more to tackle the crisis, in particular to support and relocate unaccompanied children within Europe.

It was however beaten on the day, with MP’s voting 294 to 276 against accepting 3000 child refugees from Europe.

Commenting on the amendment Mr Wilson said ‘We should make every effort to show compassion and help refugee children who are travelling alone. Especially when we know 10,000 of them have gone missing as they travel the continent.’

‘I am sure they would much rather be at home.’

Commenting on the result of the vote Mr Wilson said ‘The Tory approach is heartless.’