Downing Street has slapped down the immigration minister after he posted a now-deleted tweet saying Ukrainian refugees could apply to pick fruit in Britain.
Tory MP Kevin Foster replied to Labour MP Luke Pollard on Twitter saying there are a 'number of routes' for refugees from the war.
The Tory government is under pressure to allow Ukrainians refuge in the UK as the invading Russian forces surge toward Kyiv.
Last night the UK Government announced the relaxation of visa rules, allowing Ukrainians with immediate family in Britain to flee to the UK.
But Labour called for ministers to immediately extend the opportunity to wider relatives, and set out a "broader sanctuary route" to help other Ukrainians.
Home Secretary Priti Patel was expected to announce further measures to help refugees this afternoon, but it’s understood a full plan has not yet been drawn up.
Mr Foster, immigration minister under Priti Patel, tweeted on Saturday evening: "Hi Luke, as you are well aware there are a number of routes, not least our seasonal work scheme you will recall from your shadow DEFRA days, which Ukrainians can qualify for, alongside the family route for those with relatives here."
The tweet was later deleted.
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper reacted by tweeting: "My God. People are fleeing war in Europe, the like we haven't seen in generations, in search of swift sanctuary.
"Yet the immigration minister says the answer is they should put in an application to pick Britain's fruit & veg."
Boris Johnson's official spokesman said today: “That tweet was rightly deleted.
“The UK has a proud history of supporting those in need - we’ve done that with Afghanistan and elsewhere, and we will continue to do that.”
Mr Foster later declined to apologise in the Commons when challenged by Labour's Stephen Kinnock over the remarks.
It comes as Home Secretary Priti Patel was expected to set out more details on help for Ukrainian refugees fleeing the Russian invasion.
The Government announced the relaxation of visa rules for immediate family members of Ukrainians settled in the UK after coming under intense criticism over the weekend.
But Labour demanded ministers extend it to all relatives and to provide a "broader sanctuary route" to help other Ukrainians.
The PM's spokesman said: "We will be doing even more with the Home Secretary expected to say a little more in the House later today."
Downing Street also contradicted Liz Truss for saying she supported people who wanted to travel out to Ukraine to join the fight.
The PM's spokesman said: "We fully recognise the strength of feeling about British people wanting to support the Ukrainians following the Russian invasion.
"There's advice up on travelling to Ukraine, we currently advise against travel to Ukraine."
