Chris Philp states that there was a “misunderstanding” regarding whether or not the individuals who had crossed the English Channel in tiny boats had friends or family to stay with.
Two groups of migrants who crossed the English Channel in small boats were stranded in London because of a “misunderstanding” with Home Office staff, according to a government politician.
On Thursday, an asylum seeker reported that he was among 45 migrants who were removed from the Manston migration center in Kent and driven to Victoria coach station without being instructed where to travel next by officials.
Chris Philp has now revealed that two groups were left in the capital, stating that they told immigration officials that “they had addresses to go to, i.e. friends and relatives,” which turned out to be false.
The minister for policing told that there had been a “mistake,” adding, “I don’t know how that misunderstanding arose; perhaps something was lost in translation; anyway, they have all been taken care of.”
Mr. Philp also argued that Manston was now in compliance with the law after Home Office requirements were challenged in court.
Earlier this week, reports appeared of serious overcrowding, with estimations that Manston was sheltering 4,000 people as opposed to the intended 1,600, as well as claims of a “breach of humane conditions” and outbreaks of MRSA and diphtheria.
Mr. Philp, however, stated that the center had undergone major adjustments in recent days, adding, “I do not accept the assumption that it is no longer legally compliant.”
However, he cautioned that there was a “big difficulty” and that “bold action” was required, stating: “About 40,000 people have unlawfully entered the United Kingdom on tiny boats so far this year, and that is an enormous operational challenge; it’s really difficult to deal with.
“These treks are completely unnecessary, given France is a secure nation with a well-functioning refugee system.
“These flights are unnecessary; no one is fleeing conflict in France. These journeys should never have been undertaken.”
After telling Sky News that the United Kingdom has been “extremely generous to those in genuine need,” Mr. Philp then told Times Radio that it was “a bit cheeky” for illegal immigrants to complain about conditions.
Jonathan Reynolds, the shadow business secretary, stated that the government’s overall response to the matter “lacks any sense of basic competence or compassion.
He instructed them to abandon “expensive gimmicks” such as transferring individuals to Rwanda and instead address the core problems and backlog of asylum cases.
“Councils fully eliminated”
In the meantime, a Conservative member of parliament has criticized the Home Office for failing to collaborate with local governments when seeking housing for migrants arriving on tiny boats.
Kent’s council leaders have already told the home secretary that the county has reached “breaking point” due to the immigration crisis and urged her to stop using Kent as an “easy fix.”
Selena Saxby, a member of Parliament for North Devon, told that her local council had been “totally taken out of the decision-making process” about the lodging of individuals in an Ilfracombe hotel.
She continued, “I think where the entire process seems to be going wrong is that councils are not involved in these choices, and local councils are in the best position to know where we can properly and securely house people and work with their local communities.”
That does not appear to be occurring.
