The prime minister is facing tough questions and calls to apologise to modern slavery victims after BuzzFeed News revealed that hundreds of child victims have been refused the right to stay in the UK.



Theresa May has framed tackling modern slavery as a key plank of her legacy. But in Parliament on Wednesday, she was told the new data showed her record on the issue was one “to be ashamed of”.

The Home Office rejected 310 applications for discretionary leave to remain and 65 asylum claims made by child victims of modern slavery between April 2017 and the end of 2018, putting many at risk of deportation to the country their traffickers are from.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Kirsty Blackman MP, deputy leader of the Scottish National Party group in Westminster, said: “The prime minister claims to care about people whose lives have been destroyed by modern slavery, and she claims her work in this area will be part of her legacy. It is a legacy to be ashamed of, Mr Speaker.

“BuzzFeed News have uncovered Home Office data showing that only 16 of 326 child victims of modern slavery had their discretionary-leave visas approved in the 20 months to December 2018," she said. "Refusing child trafficking victims safety, this cruel and callous hostile environment is the prime minister’s legacy. Will she apologise or hang her head in shame?”