British prime minister David Cameron’s description of migrants trying to reach Britain as a “swarm” has been condemned as “inflammatory” and “disgraceful”.
Mr Cameron used the emotive term as he discussed measures being taken to deal with chaotic scenes at Calais, where large numbers of migrants living in a tent city have attempted to enter the Channel Tunnel.
Speaking during a visit to Vietnam, Mr Cameron told ITV News that the problem had become worse in recent months because "you have got a swarm of people coming across the Mediterranean, seeking a better life, wanting to come to Britain".
The Refugee Council described Mr Cameron's remark as "awful, dehumanising language from a world leader".
The Refugee Council's head of advocacy Lisa Doyle further added: "It's extremely disappointing to hear the prime minister using such irresponsible, dehumanising language to describe the desperate men, women and children fleeing for their lives across the Mediterranean Sea.
“This sort of rhetoric is extremely inflammatory and comes at a time when the Government should be focused on working with its European counterparts to respond calmly and compassionately to this dreadful humanitarian crisis.”
Labour leadership candidate Andy Burnham was swift to condemn the remark with a statement on Twitter: "Cameron calling Calais migrants a 'swarm' is nothing short of disgraceful. Confirms there's no dog-whistle these Bullingdon Boys won't blow."
Ukip leader Nigel Farage also distanced himself from the term, suggesting it was part of an effort by Mr Cameron to appear "tough" on immigration.
Asked if he would use the word "swarm", Mr Farage told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "No. No, I'm not seeking to use language like that.
“The prime minister is this morning trying to sound tough. Whether he actually means it or not is quite a separate question.”
Acting Labour leader Harriet Harman said Mr Cameron appeared to want to whip people up against the migrants.
She told BBC News: “He should remember he is talking about people, not insects.
“I think it’s a very worrying turn that he appears to be wanting to be divisive and set people against, whip people up, against the migrants in Calais when what he should have been doing, and should have been doing months ago and was warned to be doing, is to get the situation sorted out with the French.”
Ms Harman dismissed calls for the British army to be sent in to sort out the problem.
“I don’t think there should be any question of us sending in our army. The French themselves have got troops as well as a large police force.”
Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: "By blaming 'migrant swarms' for the current crisis in Calais, David Cameron risks dehumanising some of the world's most desperate people. We are talking about human beings here, not insects.
“By using the prime minister’s language, we lose sight of how desperate someone has to be to cling to the bottom of a lorry or train for the chance of a better life.”
PA