SNP's Ian Blackford slapped down by Boris Johnson after call for Ukraine visas to be waived

The SNP's Ian Blackford has pressed Boris Johnson during Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) about UK help for Ukrainian refugees fleeing the war zone after Russia's invasion.

Mr Blackford said hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians were fleeing the horrors of war and demanded Mr Johnson "join with our European partners and waive the visa requirements".

He added the United Nations had estimated there would be over 500,000 refugees, mainly children, accusing the Government of "standing alone" in their refusal to waive visas for those in need,

In response, Boris Johnson said the Government would be as generous as they could be, telling MPs that new measures announced could allow hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians to come to the UK.

Mr Blackford also said it would be wrong of the UK to fall for "Kremlin propaganda" where Russia said they would be prepared to "soak up" any sanctions.

He said “this is a moment for unity” asking if the objective is the “complete economic isolation” of Russia.

He said that “must include sanctions on Putin and his network of oligarchs and agents, their expulsion from countries around the world, sanctions on his banks, and their ability to borrow and function, and sanctions on his energy and mineral companies”.

He reiterated “it must finally mean clearing up the sewer of dirty Russian money that has been running through the City of London for years”.

He said “I know all the complications involved” but asked that Russia is suspended from the SWIFT payment system, dubbing it “one of the steps that would hit the Putin regime the hardest”.