Nicola Sturgeon: Scotland ready to take in refugees

NICOLA Sturgeon said that Scotland stands “ready to offer sanctuary” to refugees caught up in the humanitarian crisis that she described as a “chain of human misery”.

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon meets with representative from refugee community during a humanitarian summit at St Andrew's House in Edinburgh. Picture: Getty Images

The First Minister said the response to what she claimed was the biggest humanitarian crisis since the Second World War must “transcend politics” as she launched an emergency summit to discuss what help Scotland can offer.

Ms Sturgeon said a failure to offer a home to those fleeing war and persecution would “haunt our consciences” for “generations to come” as she claimed the UK government had failed to show leadership in responding to the crisis.

The First Minister is holding talks in Edinburgh with the Scottish Refugee Council and others, including council leaders, religious groups and opposition politicians.

The talks are being held a day after Ms Sturgeon revealed she had been left in tears by pictures of a drowned Syrian boy washed up on a beach in Turkey.

Nicola Sturgeon yesterday said that Scotland would take “at least” 1,000 refugees, subject to the UK government taking in its “fair share”.