SOMERSET MPs voted against an amendment which would have ensured unaccompanied children in the EU could be relocated with close relatives in the UK.

The amendment was moved into the House of Lords by refugee campaigner Lord Dubs but MPs voted to remove the amendment by 327 to 264 – a majority of 63.

MP for Taunton Deane, Rebecca Pow, believes now is not the right time to undermine negotiations with the EU by agreeing to the amendment.

“As a nation we are one of the highest recipients of asylum claims from unaccompanied children across Europe, receiving more claims than any EU member state last year - and have granted protection and other leave to more than 44,000 children seeking protection since 2010,” she said.

“The Government have presented a credible and serious offer to the EU to agree new, post-transition arrangements for the family reunion of unaccompanied asylum-seeking children and I know it remains their goal to reach such an arrangement.

“As negotiations with the EU are ongoing, I do believe that it would not be right to undermine these in any way.”

Ms Pow voted against the amendment as she would prefer a UK-EU agreement rather than the domestic Immigration Rules.

“Ultimately, I voted against this amendment as I believe a UK-EU agreement would be preferable to domestic Immigration Rules, as it would guarantee the support of sending states in the referral, transfer and safeguarding of children during the process,” she said.

“It would guarantee the support of sending states in the referral, transfer and safeguarding of children during the process.

“Therefore, a negotiated agreement is clearly the preferred approach.

“I do however welcome the fact that the Government have said they will revisit the UK’s unilateral position if an agreement is not possible in this area.

“Importantly, I also understand from Ministers that the UK does provide safe and legal routes for people to join family members in the UK through existing immigration rules.

“These existing rules are unaffected by our exit from the European Union, such as the provisions under part 11 of the immigration rules.”