‘DEEPLY worrying” allegations of assault and abuse by officers on people at a UK detention centre show Westminster immigration policies have “failed”, it is claimed.
Stuart McDonald MP, the SNP’s immigration, asylum and border control spokesperson, hit out after it emerged that nine employees of government security contractor G4S had been suspended after secret filming by the BBC.
Action has been taken against one nurse, six detention custody officers and two managers in light of evidence recorded at Brook House, near Gatwick Airport.
The centre is one of several used to house rejected asylum seekers, trafficking victims, unsuccessful residency applicants and overseas criminals before their removal from the UK. Laws set down by Westminster allow detainees to be held indefinitely, stretching to years in some cases.
The Panorama programme, which obtained footage recorded by former custody officer Callum Tulley, said it has evidence of “chaos, incompetence and abuse” at Brook House.
The film will be shown on Monday night and the team says drug use is “rife”, with self-harm and attempted suicide “widespread”.
Yesterday G4S said staff have been suspended as a “precaution” and investigations are under way.
Jerry Petherick of G4S called the alleged behaviour “despicable” and “disgraceful”, while the Home Office said: “We condemn any actions that put the safety or dignity of immigration removal centre detainees at risk.
“We are clear that all detainees should be treated with dignity and respect and we expect G4S to carry out a thorough investigation into these allegations and that all appropriate action be taken.”
However, McDonald said: “These are deeply worrying allegations of abuse by G4S staff of incredibly vulnerable people. The UK Government must investigate urgently.
“We know from a number of reports and investigations that we need to look more broadly at the serious harm being caused to people by the UK Government’s inappropriate use of unnecessary, expensive and ineffective large-scale immigration detention facilities.
“Brook House near Gatwick is just one of many detention centres in the UK. These centres house some of the most vulnerable people imaginable – detainees can include asylum seekers fleeing persecution, people with mental illnesses, and even victims of torture and trafficking.
“People are simply being detained for the convenience of the Home Office, for an unlimited time, without committing any crime. The UK Government’s obsession with immigration prisons is an inhumane and failed policy – it must end.”
Labour MP Thangam Debbonaire said the Home Office uses detention as “a port of first resort, rather than last resort as it is supposed to be”.
Meanwhile, a Freedom of Information request has revealed MPs made 482 tip-offs to immigration enforcement authorities from 2014-16. England and Wales Green party co-convener Jonathan Bartley said this suggests a “fundamental betrayal” of constituents’ trust.
However, the Home Office said MPs can report an immigration crime “like any member of the public”.
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