Theresa May accused of ‘blatant hypocrisy’ after quoting man who saved hundreds of refugee children from Nazis in resignation speech

'It is rank opportunism for her to have referenced Nicholas Winton when you examine her track record on her treatment of migrants and refugees'

Theresa May has been accused of “blatant hypocrisy” after she used her resignation speech to quote a man who saved hundreds of refugee children from the Nazis

Speaking outside Downing Street after announcing she would stand down on 7 June, Ms May said Nicholas Winton, who organised Kinder Transport for 669 mostly Jewish children before the Second World War, taught her that “life depends on compromise”.

Immigration lawyers said the remark felt “hugely inappropriate” considering Ms May’s “track record on her treatment of migrants and refugees”, citing her restrictions on granting safe passage to unaccompanied minors from Europe, the wrongful deportation of British citizens in the Windrush scandal and the wider "hostile environment" measures she spearheaded.

Colin Yeo, prominent immigration and asylum barrister, said: “She did everything she could to stop children in Calais from joining families in the UK. The Home Office fought that tooth and nail with Theresa May in charge.

“For her to quote from somebody who literally broke the law to save lies – he forged papers, the sort of thing that Theresa May sends people to prison for – is blatant hypocrisy.

“The guy was a hero. He really put himself on the line to help people who are vulnerable and in need, and Theresa May has done the opposite. She’s done everything she can to stop people from coming in in the first place.”

Lord Alf Dubs, who was one of the child refugees saved by Mr Winton in 1939, and has campaigned to grant more unaccompanied minors safe passage to the UK, said Ms May’s reference to the humanitarian to justify compromise was an “abuse”.

“For my life Nicky Winton was a very important person, and what he demonstrated was not compromise. What he demonstrated was tenacity of purpose, a determination to battle with the British government, to battle with the Nazis, to do what he had to do,” he said.

“And it’s because he wasn’t compromising. She’s using a man who is absolutely iconic for the wonderful things he did and the lives he saved – not just mine but many others – to justify compromise. That seems to me quite wrong, and a bit of an abuse."

Lord Dubs added: "She hasn’t been helpful for child refugees. To quote Nicky Winton in relation to what he did for child refugees when she tried to do very little for child refugees is not an honest approach to politics."

Jacqueline McKenzine, an immigration lawyer who has supported many people affected by the Windrush scandal, said she was “staggered and outraged” when she heard Ms May cite Mr Winton in her speech.

“Her legacy, both as home secretary and prime minister, was to design and preside over the most racist set of immigration policies and practices which have had far reaching consequences and destroyed many lives,“ she added.

“Protection was taken from refugees including child refugees stuck in Calais, holidaymakers have routinely ended up in immigration detention without a right of appeal, people who had spent most of their lives in the UK have been deported to countries they didn't know.

"In the worst cases, some have died.

“It was rank opportunism for her to have referenced Nicholas Winton when you examine her track record on her treatment of migrants and refugees.”

Ms May has also attracted criticism for citing her response to the Grenfell Tower tragedy during her speech, and for talking about fighting inequality after, campaigners say, she “spent two years stoking division”.

“Security, freedom and opportunity – those values have guided me throughout my career. But the unique privilege of this office is to use this platform to give a voice to the voiceless, and to tackle the burning injustices that still scar our society,” she said.

“That is why I am ending the postcode lottery for survivors of domestic abuse. It is why the race disparity audit and the gender pay reporting are shining a light on inequality so it has nowhere to hide.

“It is why I set up the independent public inquiry into the tragedy at Grenfell Tower, to search for the truth so nothing like it can ever happen again and so the people who lost their lives that night are never forgotten.”

Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), said it was "disgraceful" for Ms May to suggest her "awful" response to Grenfell was a "proud part of her legacy".

He added: “Many of the underlying issues at Grenfell were due to unsafe conditions that had been allowed to fester under Tory governments and a council for which Theresa May bears ultimate responsibility.

"The inquiry she launched has kicked scrutiny of corporate and government interests into the long-grass, denying families and survivors justice, while allowing business as usual to continue for the wealthy."

Scottish Labour MP Danielle Rowley meanwhile said: “Of course she’s tired, of course she’s emotional. She hasn’t had an easy ride.

“But HOW DARE she talk about inequality. HOW DARE she talk about justice for the people of Grenfell. And the cheek of her talking about unity when she has spent two years stoking division. Goodbye May.”

Ms May's office has been approached for comment.