A beacon of light in these dark days is that a Ukrainian family managed to escape to relatives in Northwich.

My team and I intervened with the Home Office to secure visas in record time to get a woman and her two young daughters out of Kyiv to stay here with her sister and husband.

They are now safe but distressed having left behind the woman’s spouse and his parents as well as other relatives and friends.

It’s hoped the 70-year-old grandma of the family, who fled to Spain, will join them soon. All hope to return to Ukraine one day.

In the meantime, their phone goes constantly with calls from home punctuated by the harrowing sounds of war. They have been told bombs are dropping on a town close to the family’s heart, where loved-ones still live.

This impact, on just one family, is being experienced by millions. Putin’s invasion is an unprovoked and unjustifiable outrage that will have tragic consequences.

His attack – opposed by most Russian people – is an attack on all who cherish freedom, democracy, the rule of law and sovereignty. We must stand in solidarity with the people of Ukraine and everyone across the globe working for peace.

Northwich Guardian: Refugees from Ukraine cross into Poland at the Medyka crossing (Markus Schreiber/AP)Refugees from Ukraine cross into Poland at the Medyka crossing (Markus Schreiber/AP)

The hardest possible sanctions should be taken against the Russian government and those linked to Putin.

While it’s welcome some Russian banks have been blocked from the international payment system, there’s much more our government could do to isolate Putin's rogue regime.

It’s right Britain has provided support to Ukraine to defend itself - and this should continue. Labour’s commitment to NATO is unshakeable and the alliance has strongly condemned Putin’s actions. 

We need to move in step with our NATO allies and reinforce NATO members on the eastern flank in case Putin has broader ambitions.

But right now, Ukraine is under fire and people are fleeing for their lives. We must support Ukrainian citizens like the family for whom I secured safe passage.

It angers me the Home Office is still applying normal visa restrictions such as on salaries, English language, and only close relatives.

One Tory immigration minister advised refugees to apply for visas designed for fruit-pickers!

This isn’t solidarity with Ukraine, it’s immoral. The Government must urgently provide a simple sanctuary route to the UK for all who need it.