Boris Johnson: We have a moral duty to help the Med migrants

Boris Johnson is out campaigning in Kent and appears to be urging Britain to take a more central role in the rescue and support of migrants making the dangerous journey from Africa to Europe. He says:

I think it is an absolute tragedy and obviously we must do whatever we can to help the humanitarian response. I totally support that and I support the efforts the Italian and other authorities are making.

If you’re asking, do I think that we should withdraw a humanitarian response, my answer to you of course is absolutely not.

It’s our moral duty to help where we can.

Obviously the majority of the burden for this will fall on the countries most immediately affected and that’s only natural.

But Britain is a great country and a compassionate country and if we can help them I think we should.