Graham Linehan shares picture of Aylan Kurdi after David Cameron brands Calais refugees 'bunch of migrants'
The Prime Minister is facing a backlash for 'inflammatory' remarks about refugees
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Graham Linehan has underlined exactly why David Cameron's decision to dismiss Calais refugees as “a bunch of migrants” is so controversial by sharing the picture that sums up the reality of their plight.
The Father Ted writer posted the image of toddler Aylan Kurdi’s body washed up on the shore of a Turkish beach after Mr Cameron sparked uproar with his comment during Prime Minister's Questions.
The harrowing image of Aylan's lifeless body moved hundreds of thousands to back the Refugees Welcome campaign and urge the Governments to accept a quota of the most vulnerable.
Mr Cameron has referred to refugees living in dire conditions in Calais in this manner as he criticised Jeremy Corbyn, who met women with emaciated children and criticism of torture during his visit to the notorius Calais Jungle and Grande-Synthe camps last week.
“The idea that those two right honourable gentlemen would stand up to anyone in this regard is laughable,“ he said. ”Look at their record over the last week. They met with the unions and gave them flying pickets. They met with the Argentinians, they gave them the Falkland Islands. They met with a bunch of migrants in Calais they said they could all come to Britain. The only people they never stand up for are the British people and hardworking taxpayers.”
Mr Cameron's “disgraceful” and “inflammatory” comment left some backbenchers aghast and the backlash continues to grow online, with over 7,000 tweets about his remark being posted in less than hour.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments