Sangatte children 'dumped' in London

Thirty-seven children were among refugees from the Sangatte camp handed over to London councils at the weekend, it has emerged.

Their arrival caused confusion as councils said they were given little notice of the transfer.

Kensington and Chelsea council leader Merrick Cockell said that after notice was given late on Friday afternoon, 160 refugees, including the children, arrived by bus bewildered and without officials from either the Home Office or National Asylum Support Service.

The group were taken to a bed and breakfast hostel in Earl's Court. Local stores provided toys and fruit to families with children. Lambeth council said it had been "taken by surprise" by the arrival of 130 refugees.

The Government agreed last week to take 1,000 Iraqi Kurds and 200 Afghans from Sangatte so the centre near Calais could close by 30 December.

Mr Cockell said: "It's appalling there's nobody from the Home Office or NASS to look after them. They've been dumped in the middle of London."

160 more adults were due next weekend, he said.