250+ faith leaders write to PM on World Refugee Day
On World Refugee Day over 250 faith leaders call on PM to give child refugees sanctuary in UK
More than 250 faith leaders have written an open letter to Boris Johnson, asking him to commit to offering child refugees a safe route to asylum in the UK.
The signatories to the letter include the former Archbishop of Canterbury and over 20 Church of England bishops, the Archbishop of Wales of the Church in Wales,, the Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Britain, over 30 rabbis representing Reform, Liberal and other Jewish denominations, the former president of the Hindu Forum of Europe, the lead Catholic Bishop for Migrants and Refugees plus numerous senior leaders from the Baptist, Methodist, United Reformed, Salvation Army and Quaker traditions across the UK.
“Even in challenging times,” the signatories writ, “the UK has always remained a place of sanctuary for those seeking refuge, from the Kindertransport to the more recent Vulnerable Person’s Resettlement Scheme, and we urge you to build on this proud tradition by urgently resettling some of the world’s most vulnerable children.”
The letter was organised by the charity Safe Passage in the wake of an announcement by the UK government that the 480 places available to child refugees under the ‘Dubs Scheme’ had been filled. MPs voted to establish the route to sanctuary in 2016, to help bring children safely to the UK from horrendous conditions in the Calais Jungle and Greek camps but the government insisted on capping the scheme at 480 places.
The decision by the Government to give safe passage to fewer than 500 unaccompanied child refugees has dismayed faith leaders and campaigners who argue that without a safe and legal route, children will be more likely to fall into the hands of smugglers or traffickers. The charity Safe Passage estimates that over 10,000 children have arrived in the UK in lorries since 2010.
Highlighting the plight of unaccompanied children on the Greek islands, the letter asks the Prime Minister to meet with faith representatives to discuss the urgent need to continue the relocation of vulnerable children from Greece. These children, “have escaped war, persecution, and poverty only to find themselves now trapped in desperate conditions, with little or no access to the most basic necessities,” they write.
The letter goes on “Inaction in the face of such deprivation and suffering is not an option. Now, more than ever, the UK must step in and offer sanctuary to children in urgent need.”
The signatories also congratulate the Prime Minister on the UK’s recent bilateral work with the Greek government, which resulted in 47 refugees being transferred from Athens in London to join family in the UK, describing the rescue operation as a “true example of the UK’s humanitarian leadership.”
IPSOS Mori polling recently found that 79% of the British public support child refugees being able to join parents in the UK, and over half support them being able to join siblings, aunts, uncles or parents. However, after the Brexit transition period ends, from 1st January 2021 EU rules on family reunion will no longer apply in the UK.
The signatories to the letter call on the Prime Minister “to ensure child refugees can continue to reunite with their family members in the UK after the end of the transition agreement.”
Beth Gardiner-Smith, CEO of Safe Passage said “We are inspired and grateful that so many faith leaders stand shoulder to shoulder with child refugees. Last winter, the government gave repeated assurances in Parliament that it was committed to helping child refugees join their relatives in the UK but it has now published a Brexit negotiating position that would replace concrete family reunion rights with a watered-down, discretionary system. There is a clear moral case for the UK to take leadership of this issue and provide safe and legal routes for child refugees.”
Dr Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury, added “We’ve all been more conscious than ever in these last few months of the cost of isolation, and how much more painful this is at a time of sickness and vulnerability. There are still thousands of unaccompanied children isolated in refugee camps and holding centres, especially in the Greek islands, who are more at risk than ever at this time of pandemic disease, and who urgently need safe and legal means of settling in secure environments. We are simply pleading with the Prime Minister to honour the best traditions of this country and the commitments made by previous governments, and to respond to the Europe-wide challenge to guarantee safety and welcome for them. They need the same security and love that our own children need. And we need to show what we all hope is true – that our moral compass as a country has been strengthened and not weakened by the trials we have been going through.”
The letter has been sent to the Prime Minister in the same week in which MPs in Parliament debated an amendment to the Immigration Bill, which seeks to protect family reunion and relocation for unaccompanied children in Europe. The amendment has so far been opposed by government.
See below for full text of the letter and list of signatories, followed by contact details and notes to editor:
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Dear Prime Minister,
Firstly, may we congratulate you on the UK government’s collaboration with the Greek government in organising a flight to allow 47 refugees waiting in Greece to reunite with their loved ones here. This is a true example of the UK’s humanitarian leadership.
We are writing to you today to ask if you will build on that humanitarian spirit, by offering sanctuary to unaccompanied children stranded in Europe.
More than 1,600 unaccompanied children1 remain stuck on the Greek islands – they have escaped war, persecution, and poverty only to find themselves now trapped in desperate conditions, with little or no access to the most basic necessities. Water, shelter, food, and toilets are in scarce supply and with many children already unwell, they are also at heightened risk of Covid-19 infection. These children are at a severe risk of trafficking, sexual exploitation, and violence, and are surviving in circumstances that no child should experience2. Heartbreakingly, an increasing number of these children are attempting suicide and self-harm.
Inaction in the face of such deprivation and suffering is not an option. Now, more than ever, the UK must step in and offer sanctuary to children in urgent need.
Last October, the Greek Government called upon European states to urgently evacuate unaccompanied children and earlier this year the EU commission pledged funding to help3. 47 children have been welcomed to Germany4 and 12 to Luxembourg5 with 11 other European countries including Switzerland, France, and Ireland all pledging places. So far Portugal has led the way, offering 500 places6.
Even in challenging times, the UK has always remained a place of sanctuary for those seeking refuge, from the Kindertransport to the more recent Vulnerable Person’s Resettlement Scheme, and we urge you to build on this proud tradition by urgently resettling some of the world’s most vulnerable children, giving them a chance to rebuild their lives in safety in the UK.
Furthermore, with the ‘Dubs scheme’ over7 and with child refugees losing their access to family reunion after we exit the EU8, very soon there could be no safe, legal routes for child refugees in Europe to seek sanctuary in the UK.
As a signatory to the Global Compact on Refugees and one of the world’s richest countries, seeking to build and demonstrate global cooperation and goodwill, we have a moral duty to act. Up and down the country, communities are ready to help - a campaign led by Lord Alf Dubs and the charity Safe Passage has secured pledges from UK councils for over 1,400 places for child refugees9. If you agree to give these children a safe route by extending the Global Resettlement Scheme to Europe, councils are ready to welcome them.
Right now, we face an unprecedented and difficult time in the UK – but we believe it is precisely during these dark times that we must show our global solidarity and leadership to others in need.
All the faiths we represent embrace solidarity with those who are suffering and advocate a profound responsibility to alleviate that suffering. We call on the government to embrace that humanitarian spirit and as our Prime Minister, we urge you to act now and offer child refugees safe passage.
We call upon you to firstly meet with Safe Passage and faith representatives to discuss the urgent need to relocate vulnerable children from the Greek islands and to ensure an ongoing safe route for unaccompanied children without family in the UK, and secondly to ensure child refugees can continue to reunite with their family members in the UK after the end of the transition agreement.
Yours faithfully,
The Revd Hany Abdelmasih, Regional Minister, London Baptist Association (LBA)
Mr Sayed Yusif OBE, Director of Public Affairs at the Al-Khoei Benevolent Foundation
The Revd Richard Andrew, Chair of the Darlington District of the Methodist Church
The Revd Stuart Allen, South Warwickshire Seven Benefice
Bishop Dr. John Armes, Bishop of Edinburgh, Scottish Episcopal Church
The Revd Dr Nick Ashton, Regional Minister, East Midland Baptist Association (EMBA)
Rabbi Robyn Ashworth-Steen, Manchester Reform Synagogue
The Revd Ben Askew, Pioneer Minister - Priest in Charge, Kairos Network Church
The Revd Robert Atwell, Bishop of Exeter
Aliya Azam MBE, Interfaith Coordinator, Al Khoei Foundation
Rabbi Charley Baginsky, Interim Director of Liberal Judaism
Bishop Nicholas Baines, Bishop of Leeds
The Revd Anthony Ball, Canon of Westminster
The Revd Steve Barnwell, Minister, Chesterfield Baptist Church
Dr T M Basheer, Chair, Dorchester Islamic Centre
Mrs Michelle Beckett, World Evangelical Alliance, Refugee Task Force
The Revd, Ken Benjamin, Senior Minister, Chichester Baptist Church, Former Baptist Union President 2019-20
Rabbi Miriam Berger, Finchley Reform Synagogue
The Revd Rashell Beya, Minister, Broadway Baptist Church, Derby
Rabbi Rebecca Birk, Finchley Progressive Synagogue
The Revd Claire Blatchford, Minister, Cranham Baptist Church, Essex
Pastor David Bolton, Mowbray Community Church, Harrogate
Rabbi Dr Barbara Borts, Darlington Hebrew Congregation
The Revd Carol Bostridge Regional Minister, London Baptist Association (LBA)
The Revd Paul Bradbury, Leader Poole Missional Communities
Canon Pat Browne, Parish Priest for the Church of the Holy Apostles
The Revd Ian Bunce, Minister, Romford Baptist Church
The Revd Dr Clive G. Burnard, Regional Minister, Yorkshire Baptist Association (YBA)
The Rt Revd Paul Butler, Bishop of Durham
The Revd Helen Cameron, Chair of the Northampton District of the Methodist Church
The Revd Philip Chadder
The Rt Revd Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark
The Rt Revd Jonathan Clark, Bishop of Croydon
The Revd Mark Clay, Regional Minister, East Midland Baptist Association (EMBA)
Major Nick Coke, Refugee Response Coordinator, The Salvation Army UK
The Revd Dawn Cole-Savidge, Communities Minister, Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church
Bishop Stephen Conway, Bishop of Ely
The Revd Stephen Copson, Regional Minister, Central Baptist Association (CBA)
The Revd Daniel Corcoran, Community and Mission Priest, Faversham Benefice, Kent
Commissioner Gillian Cotterill, Territorial Leader for Leader Development, The Salvation Army, UK and Republic of Ireland
The Revd Nigel Cowgill, Chair of the London District of the Methodist Church
The Revd Sarah Crane, Lead Chaplain, Milton Keynes Hospital
Mr Jamie Cresswell, Chair, Religions for Peace – UK
Rabbi Janet Darley
Archbishop Dr John Davies, Archbishop of Wales & Bishop of Swansea and Brecon, Church in Wales
Pamela Davies, Minister, 57 West, Southend-on-Sea
The Revd Mark Davison, Minister, Upminster Baptist Church
The Revd Andrew de Ville, Chair of the Southampton District of the Methodist Church
Rachel Dismorr, Outreach Pastor, St Mary's Longfleet, Poole
The Revd Duncan Dormor, General Secretary, United Society Partners in the Gospel
The Revd Neil Douglas, Senior Minister, Ebenezer Baptist Church, Scarborough
The Revd Craig Downes, Pastor, Albany Park Baptist Church
The Revd Clare Downing, Synod Moderator of the Wessex Synod of the United Reformed Church
The Revd Prof John Drane, Practical Theologian, Glasgow
The Revd Penny Draper, St. George's Church, Oakdale
The Revd Chris Duffett, Co-Principal of ‘The Light College’, Chester
The Revd Sam Dunn, Minister, Melton Mowbray Baptist Church
The Revd Gemma Dunning, Minister, Leytonstone United Free Church
The Rt Revd Anne Dyer, Bishop of Aberdeen and Orkney, Scottish Episcopal Church
Rabbi Colin Eimer, Emeritus Rabbi, Sha'arei Tsedek, North Londion Reform Synagogue
Ms Rita El Gazali, Muslim Community Leaders, Bournemouth & Poole
The Rt Revd Olivia Graham, Bishop of Reading
Rabbi Warren Elf, Director, Faith Network for Manchester
The Revd David Ellis, Regional Minister, Heart of England Baptist Association (HEBA)
The Revd Alexandra Ellish, Minister, Amott Road Baptist Church, Peckham
Mr Derek Estill, Moderator of General Assembly, United Reformed Church
The Revd Mike Fegredo, Regional Minister, East Midland Baptist Association (EMBA)
The Revd Allan Finnegan, Minister, Emmanuel Baptist Church, Netherton
The Rt Revd Colin Fletcher OBE, Bishop of Dorchester,
The Revd Sean Fountain, Minister, Avenue Baptist Church, Clacton-on-Sea
The Revd Dr Guli Francis-Dehqani, The Bishop of Loughborough
Rabbi Helen Freeman, Co-Senior Rabbi, West London Synagogue
Rabbi Ariel J. Friedlander
Dr Edie Friedman, Founder and Executive Director, Jewish Council for Racial Equality
The Revd Daniel Gates, Minister, Clarence Road Baptist Church, Southend-on-Sea
Canon Flynn Gerard, Vocations Director, RC Diocese of Portsmouth
The Revd Gert Glasius, Interim Minister, Beeston Baptist Church & Greenhill Community Church
The Revd Barbara Glasson, President of the Methodist Conference
Rabbi Herschel Gluck OBE
Rabbi Amanda Golby
Rabbi Naomi Goldman, Kol Chai Hatch End Reform Jewish Community
Rabbi Aaron Goldstein, Chair, Conference of Liberal Rabbis and Cantors
The Revd Dr Andy Goodliff, Minister, Belle Vue Baptist Church, Southend-on-Sea
Rabbi Jeremy Gordon, Rabbi of the New London Synagogue
The Rt Revd Karen Gorham, Bishop of Sherborne, Anglican Diocese of Salisbury
The Revd Paul Graham, Minister, Clare Baptist Church
The Revd Glen Graham, Minister, Cullompton Baptist Church
Colonel Lee Graves, Chief Secretary, The Salvation Army UK Territory with the Republic of Ireland
The Revd Lynn Green, General Secretary, Baptist Union of Great Britain
The Revd Dr David Gregory, Team Leader, Croxley Green Baptist Church, Former Baptist Union President 2018-19
The Revd Tim Haines, Minister, St Helens Baptist Church
Canon John Hall, Chair of Devon Faith and Belief Forum
The Revd Mark Ham, Vicar, Birchington with Acol and Minnis Bay, Kent
Bishop David Hamid, Church of England, Diocese of Europe
The Revd Gordon Hay, Methodist Minister in the Nidd Valley
Bishop Paul Hendricks, Co-Chair of Christian Muslim Forum
Clare Henry, Exeter Quakers
Rabbi Dr Michael Hilton, Rabbi Emeritus, Kol Chai Hatch End Reform Jewish Community
The Revd Dr David Hinchliffe, Chair of the Channel Islands District of the Methodist Church; Chair of the South East District of the Methodist Church
The Revd Martin Hodson, General Director, Baptist Union of Scotland
The Revd Steve Holland, Minister, Boston Baptist Church
The Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam, Bishop of Salisbury
The Revd Ian Howarth, Chair of the Birmingham District of the Methodist Church
Pastor David Howe, Pastor, Heanor Baptist Church
Bishop Nicholas Hudson, Bishop for Justice and Peace, Diocese of Westminster
The Revd Wale Hudson-Roberts, Justice Enabler, The Baptist Union of Great Britain
The Revd Jonathan Hunt, Regional Minister, Southern Counties Baptist Association (SCBA)
The Revd Dr Jennifer Hurd, Chair of Synod Cymru of the Methodist Church
The Revd Mat Hussain, Minister, Thrapston Baptist Church
The Revd Sharran Ireland, Faversham Benefice Clergy
The Revd Gill Isterling, Minister, Thomas Helwys Baptist Church, Nottingham
Rabbi Richard Jacobi, East London and Essex Liberal Synagogue
Rabbi Dr Margaret Jacobi, Birmingham Progressive Synagogue
Mr. Jeff Jacobson, Minister, West Leigh Baptist Church, Leigh-on-Sea
Mr Madhu Jain, Hindu Mandir Glasgow, Vice-Chair of Interfaith Scotland
Ms Tess James, Society of Friends - Clerk to Dorset and South Wilts Area Quaker Meeting
Pastor Wynn James, Life Destiny Church, Harrogate
Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner, Senior Rabbi to Reform Judaism
The Revd Richard A. Jevons, Baptist Minister, Eastgate Union Church, Louth
The Revd Sue Johnston, Pastor, Great Sampford Baptist Church
The Revd Simon Jones, Vice Principal, Spurgeon’s College, London
The Revd Jez Jones, Poole Christian Fellowship
Rabbi Oliver Joseph, New North London Synagogue and Havurah
Rabbi Dr Deborah Kahn-Harris, Principal, Leo Baeck College
Bishop John Keenan, Bishop of Paisley
Pastor Garry Kelly, Cross Hills Baptist Church, Bagworth
The Revd Lisa Kerry, BD Hons MTh, Minister, Croxley Green Baptist Church
Mr Harun Khan, Secretary General, Muslim Council of Britain
The Revd Juliet Kilpin, Coordinator of Peaceful Borders
The Revd Jim Kilpin, Community Minister, Avenue Baptist Church
Rabbi Daniella Kolodny
The Rt Revd Declan Lang, Bishop of Clifton
The Revd Neil Le Tissier, Regional Minister, Heart of England Baptist Association (HEBA)
The Revd Nick Lear, Regional Minister, Eastern Baptist Association (EBA)
Rabbi Judith Levitt
The Revd Dave Llewellyn, Regional Minister, Southern Counties Baptist Association (SCBA)
The Revd May Lloyd Elder, Stamford Free Church
The Revd Alisdair Longwill, Regional Minister, West of England Baptist Network
The Revd June Love, Minister, Southwell Baptist Church
The Revd Dr Andrew Lunn, Chair of the Manchester & Stockport District of the Methodist Church
Dr Manazir Ahsan, Chairman of the Islamic Foundation
The Revd Heather Marsden, Minister, Rushmere Baptist Church
Professor Clive Marsh, Vice-President of the Methodist Conference
Mr Andrew Marshall, Minister in Training, Westcliff Baptist Church
The Revd Paul Martin, Chair of the Bolton & Rochdale District of the Methodist Church
The Rt Revd Beverley A Mason MA, Bishop of Warrington
The Revd Peter Maycock, Minister, Harborne Baptist Church
The Revd Ross Maynard, Community Minister, South Street Baptist Church, Exeter
The Revd David Mayne, Moderator of Council, Baptist Union of Great Britain
The Rt Revd Bishop Paul McAleenan, Lead Bishop for Migrants and Refugees, Conference of Bishops of England and Wales
The Rt Revd Brian McGee, Bishop of Argyll and the Isles
Pastor Stephen McKibbin, Minister, West Bridgford Baptist Church
The Rt Revd Nick McKinnel, Bishop of Plymouth
The Revd Loraine Mellor, Chair of the Nottingham & Derby District of the Methodist Church and Chair of Cliff College
The Rt Revd Jonathan Meyrick, Bishop of Lynn
Rabbi David Mitchell, Co-Senior Rabbi West London Synagogue
Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, Co-Chair of Christian Muslim Forum
The Revd Emma E. Mohr, Regional Minister, South Wales Baptist Association (SWBA)
Bishop Roger Morris, Bishop of Colchester
Sheila Mosley, QARN Quaker Asylum and Refugee Network
The Revd Jim Mullin, Pastor, Market Bosworth Free Church & Desford Free Church
The Revd Andrew Mumford, Pastor, South Ashford Baptist Church
Mr Farooq Murad, CEO of the Islamic Foundation
The Revd Emma Nash, Mission and Community Engagement Officer, The Methodist Church
The Rt Revd James Newcome, Bishop of Carlisle
Rabbi Danny Newman, Elstree and Borehamwood Masorti Community
The Revd Gillian Newton, Chair of the Sheffield District of the Methodist Church
The Revd Leslie M Newton, Chair of the Yorkshire North & East District of the Methodist Church
Bishop William Nolan, Bishop of Galloway, President of Justice & Peace Scotland
The Revd Allan Norris, Faversham Benefice Clergy
The Revd Michael Oats, Chaplain, St Anne's Hospital Poole Dorset
The Revd Andrew Openshaw, Minister, Homelands Free Church, Walton-on-the-Naze
The Revd Howard Page-Clark, Minister Upton Poole Dorset
Paul Parker, Recording Clerk, Quakers in Britain
The Revd Rachel Parkinson, Chair of the Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury District of the Methodist Church
The Revd James Pate, Minister, Mills Hill Baptist Church, Manchester
The Rt Revd Ian Paton, Bishop of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane, Scottish Episcopal Church
The Rt Revd Kevin Pearson, Bishop of Argyll and The Isles, Bishop-Elect Glasgow and Galloway, Scottish Episcopal Church
The Rt Revd Dr John Perumbalath, Bishop of Bradwell, Chair of Churches Refugee Network
Rabbi Dr René Pfertzel, Kingston Liberal Synagogue
Mr Colin Piper, World Evangelical Alliance, Executive Director, Youth Commission
Mr Neil Pitchford, Trustee of Interfaith Glasgow and the Interfaith Network UK representative of The Druid Network
The Revd David Pitkeathly, Chair of the Social Responsibility Forum, Churches Together in Cumbria
The Revd Dr Dan Pratt, Chair of The Together Free Foundation
The Revd Ellen Price, Minister of Trinity Baptist Church, Derby
The Revd David Price, Vicar, St John's Parkstone Poole
Mr Adam Price, Pastor, Hope Church, Harrogate
The Revd Canon Julian Pursehouse, Chair of the East Anglia District of the Methodist Church
Imam Hassan Rabbani, Convenor, Scottish Muslim Forum
Mr William Redfern, Interfaith Glasgow
The Revd Kirrilee Reid, Chaplain and Refugee Projects Officer in Pas-de-Calais
Rabbi Danny Rich, Vice-President of Liberal Judaism
The Revd Richard Shorter, Minister, Church 1v23, Harold Hill, Romford
The Revd Gale Richards, Minister, Zion Baptist Church, Cambridge
The Revd Simon Roberton, Pastor, Christ Church, Stock
The Revd Davinia CA Roberts, Assistant Registrar, Spurgeon's College, London
Fr Dominic Robinson, Chair of Justice and Peace Commission, Diocese of Westminster
The Revd Simon Robinson, Lead Minister, Watnall Road Baptist Church
Dr Drew Rose, CEO Interfaith Glasgow
The Revd Graeme Ross, Regional Minister, Eastern Baptist Association (EBA)
Rabbi Sylvia Rothschild
The Revd Matt Rowe, Arbury Road Baptist Church, Cambridge
Rabbi Moshe Rubin, Giffnock and Newlands Hebrew Congregation and Senior Rabbi to Scotland
The Rt Revd Dr Andrew Rumsey, Bishop of Ramsbury
The Revd Joe Ryan, Parish Priest St John Vianney, West Green London and Pax Christi Executive member
Farzana Saker, West Wiltshire Interfaith Forum Treasurer
Rabbi Fabian Sborovsky, Chair, Assembly of Reform Rabbis and Cantors, UK
Rabbi Zahavit Shalev, New North London Synagogue
The Revd Michael Shaw, Minister, Devonport Community Baptist Church
Rabbi Sybil Sheridan, West London Synagogue
Indarjit Lord Singh of Wimbledon, Director, Network of Sikh Organisations UK
The Revd Mark Slaney, Chair of the Methodist Church in Scotland
The Revd Jonathan Somerville, Senior Pastor, Woodford Baptist Church, London
The Revd Dave Steell, Minister, One Church, Brighton
The Most Revd Mark Strange, Bishop of Moray, Ross and Caithness, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church
Ms Diana Strauss, Canterbury Quakers
The Rt Revd Andrew Swift, Bishop of Brechin, Scottish Episcopal Church
Rabbi Roni Tabick
Rabbi Larry Tabick
Ms Bharti Tailor, Former President, Hindu Forum of Europe Former Member European Council of Religious Leaders
The Revd Kerry Tankard, Chair of the Yorkshire West District of the Methodist Church
The Revd Dr James N. Tebbutt, Chair of the Cumbria District of the Methodist Church
The Revd Peter Thomas, Minister, North Springfield Baptist Church
The Revd Simon Thompsett, Minister, Hill Street Baptist Church, Swadlincote
The Revd Canon Graham Thompson, Chair of the Plymouth & Exeter District of the Methodist Church
The Revd Bruce Thompson, Chair of the Lincolnshire District of the Methodist Church
The Rt Revd Dr Jon Thompson, Bishop of Selby
The Revd Seyan Tills, Minister, Walmer Baptist Church
The Revd Peter Timothy, Minister, Park Baptist Church, Great Yarmouth
The Revd Steve Tinning Minister, Leigh Road Baptist Church
Masireh Touray, Wiltshire Islamic Cultural Centre, Committee Member
The Revd Douglas Turton, Faversham Benefice Clergy
The Revd Nigel Uden, Moderator of General Assembly, United Reformed Church
Bishop Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich
Vajraguptā, Chair, Norwich Bhuddist Centre
The Revd Daniel Watts, Associate Vicar, St. Mark's Church, Harrogate
The Revd Diane Watts, Interim Faith & Society Team Leader, The Baptist Union of Great Britain
Canon John Webb, Roman Catholic Dean of Dorset
The Revd Neil Whitmill, Baptist Minister, Retired
The Revd Dr Stephen Wigley, Chair of the Wales Synod of the Methodist Church
Dr Rowan Williams, Former Archbishop of Canterbury
Bishop Alan Winton, Bishop of Thetford
Rabbi Jonathan Wittenberg, Senior Rabbi at the New North London Synagogue
The Revd Gary Woodall, Regional Minister, West of England Baptist Network
The Revd Dr Simon Woodman, Minister, Bloomsbury Central Baptist Church, London
The Revd Roger Woods, Church on the Heath, Kings Heath and Diocesan Urban Support Officer, Diocese of Peterborough
Rabbi Alexandra Wright, Senior Rabbi, The Liberal Jewish Synagogue
The Revd Hayley Young, Regional Minister, South Wales Baptist Association (SWBA)
Rabbi Debbie Young-Somers
The Revd Michaela Youngson, Chair of the London District of the Methodist Church
Rabbi Adam Zagoria-Moffet, St Albans Masorti Synagogue
The Revd Dr Jongikaya Zihle, Chair of the London District of the Methodist Church
For further information or to arrange interviews please contact andrew.hyams@safepassage.org.uk or 07542268435.
NOTES TO EDITOR
The UK’s draft Brexit negotiation text on a replacement for Dublin III family reunion can be read here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/886020/DRAFT_Agreement_on_the_transfer_of_unaccompanied_asylum-seeking_children.pdf
Further information about the Immigration Bill can be found here: https://services.parliament.uk/bills/2019-21/immigrationandsocialsecuritycoordinationeuwithdrawal.html