UK leader comes under fire for remarks on migrants

Cameron’s use of the word ‘swarm’ to refer to flow of illegal aliens brings accusations of dehumanizing language

By AP 31 July 2015, 4:54 am

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UK Prime Minister David Cameron (AP/Matt Dunham, File)

LONDON — Prime Minister David Cameron is facing criticism for using the word “swarm” to describe the migrants trying to get into Britain through the Channel Tunnel.

Cameron told ITV News that the situation is “very testing,” and that it was brought on by Britain’s growing economy.

“You have a swarm of people coming across the Mediterranean, because Britain has got jobs,” he said in remarks Thusday.

A candidate for leadership of the opposition Labour Party, Andy Burnham, described the remark as “disgraceful.” Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron said: “We are talking about human beings here, not insects.”

Cameron was questioned amid chaos near the tunnel in Calais, where large numbers of migrants have been scaling fences and trying to get aboard freight trains or trucks bound for Britain.