Refugee crisis: Government facing backbench rebellion over ban on Syrian child refugees from Europe

Lib Dem leader Tim Farron calls the vote a 'test of Britain's humanity'

The Government wants Britain to take in more than 3,000 Syrian migrants by 2020 - but including children already in Europe (GETTY)

The Government is facing a rebellion from its own backbenchers over a decision to ban thousands of Syrian children living in European refugee camps from being settled in Britain.

Upwards of ten Conservative MPs are believed to be prepared to defy their party on Monday and back a proposal by a Labour peer who was saved from the Nazis and brought to London on the Kindertransport programme.

Lord Dubs has led a parliamentary campaign to take in youngsters from camps near Calais and elsewhere in Europe who, he says, are hugely vulnerable to exploitation, sexual violence and disease.

Under current Government proposals Britain will accept more than 3,000 Syrian migrants by 2020 but ministers have insisted that these will come from camps in the Middle East and north Africa and not include children already in Europe.

With a Commons majority just 18, a rebellion by a dozen Tories could be enough to inflict defeat if all other parties back the Dubs plan.

The Lib Dem leader Tim Farron has warned there were around 30,000 unaccompanied child refugees currently in Europe who were vulnerable to sexual exploitation and Britain must play its part in resettling them.

In a letter to MPs, urging them to support the Dubs amendment he said the vote was a “test of Britain’s humanity”. “MPs must stand up for the values and traditions that make Britain great,” he said.

“The Government has tried to muddy the water with a concession that will not help a single child who is alone and vulnerable in Europe. I am making a plea to MPs from all parties to stand up on Monday, ignore their party whips and find a voice.

Mr Farron denied that the move would encourage more families to send their children to Europe.

"I don't think that's the case at all. What we know is that there are something like four or five million refugees fleeing from the region and a fraction, maybe a quarter of them, are in Europe, so the idea that Europe is the only place these people are heading is not true."

But the Home Secretary Theresa May insisted the Government was acting in a range of areas to help vulnerable children.

"The question we need to ask ourselves is what is in the best interests of these children.

"That is about children at risk coming from the region, not just unaccompanied children. Sometimes children can have a family member or guardian with them and still be at risk, for example of exploitation or forced marriage."

Ms May said the Government has announced it will take up to 3,000 children, some with carers, or family members, into the UK by 2020.