THE DAY MPs voted to keep 3,000 Syrian refugee children out of the UK is a ‘black stain on our history’, according to a North-East charity.

This week saw the Government narrowly defeat an amendment to its Immigration Bill which would have allowed thousands of unaccompanied youngsters already in Europe to come to the UK.

MPs voted 294 to 276 to reject the cross-party amendment tabled by Lord Alf Dubs, a former child refugee who fled the Holocaust.

The Government has pledged to take in extra vulnerable children, but say they should be selected from refugee camps close to conflict zones, rather than drawn from those who have already reached Europe.

PM David Cameron told the Commons that refugee children were “safe” in the EU – despite reports of thousands going missing and many becoming embroiled in trafficking and prostitution.

The Government’s stance was attacked by charities, including Darlington Assistance for Refugees (DAR).

A spokesman for DAR said: “It’s a sad day for humanity when unaccompanied children in danger are refused aid.

“This will be a black stain on our history.

“We’re among the richest countries in the world and are turning our heads away from the biggest humanitarian crisis since World War Two.

“It’s hard to believe that elected representatives could show so little compassion for children who happen to be refugees.

“Our country and our government has a moral duty to these children – they’re vulnerable and helpless.”

The majority of North-East Labour MPs voted to give the children shelter in the UK.

Among those who voted in favour of the amendment were Jenny Chapman (Darlington), Andy McDonald (Middlesbrough), Tom Blenkinsop (Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland), Anna Turley (Redcar), Alex Cunningham (Stockton North), Helen Goodman (Bishop Auckland), Pat Glass (North West Durham), Iain Wright (Hartlepool) and Phil Wilson (Sedgefield).

Those who voted against included Conservative MPs Andrew Jones (Harrogate and Knaresborough), Rishi Sunak (Richmond), Robert Goodwill (Scarborough and Whitby) and Guy Opperman (Hexham).

A spokesman for Conservative Stockton South MP James Wharton said he had been too busy with ministerial duties to vote but would have supported the Government in its opposition.

City of Durham and North Durham MPs Roberta Blackman-Woods and Kevan Jones were unable to vote, but had ‘pairings’, allowing them to be absent without affecting the result.

Both said they would have voted to accept the unaccompanied children.