The Dartford MP who voted against accepting more child refugees has been accused of “misjudging the local feeling” by Dartford Labour.

Gareth Johnson, along with 288 other Conservative MPs, voted against the amendment to the Immigration Act last year which was designed to crack down on illegal immigration and give aid to around 3,000 children.

It was decided last week that the scheme, designed by peer and former refugee Lord Dubs, would close in March once another 150 children were settled in the UK.

Jonathan Hawkes, leader of Dartford Labour, said: “It is a disappointing position to be taken, a dismaying position.

“The scheme was introduced a year ago with support from all parties. Lord Dubs came to Dartford last year, we are very close to the cause here.

“We are disappointed in the Government and in Gareth as Dartford MP. I think people here are very understanding, there are fears over immigration but people recognise the difference and that there is a moral duty to offer a safe haven for children.

“I do think Gareth Johnson misjudged the local feeling.”

Five Conservative MPs rebelled from their party and voted to accommodate children fleeing last year.

Gareth Johnson, the MP for Dartford, said: "The scheme has not closed. Indeed we have taken over 8,000 children in the last year alone and over this Parliament we will take 20, 000.

“There is an obligation under the Immigration Act to put a specific number on how many children the country can take based on consultations with local authorities about their capacity. It is vital we get the balance between enabling eligible children to come to the UK and ensuring local authorities have capacity to provide them with the support and care they need.

"The Government has also always been clear that we do not want to incentivise perilous journeys to Europe, particularly by the most vulnerable or encourage people traffickers. That job is of course made harder when some of the people claiming asylum are a lot older than they claim to be but we will continue to help those fleeing conflict."

Labour in Dartford said they will remain committed to the issue.

Mr Hawkes said: “We will continue to lobby to get the Government to do the right thing.

“This move will not achieve what it says it will achieve, it stops children from immigrating safely and legally and puts them in a dangerous situation.

“We are disappointed in the Government, they have taken a step back on measures agreed a year ago.”