The investigation into serious allegations of disorder and unlawful conduct at the Manston holding center for cross-Channel migrants may involve testimony from two former prime ministers and three former home secretaries. An internal document from the Home Office from the year 2022 highlights that the incidents at the center could harm the department’s reputation, as it received 39 reports of deficiencies during that time. These reports include a fatality in custody, the illegal detention of both adults and children, and accusations against Home Office officials for theft and misconduct.
The inquiry into the events at Manston has recently commenced, overseen by an independent senior barrister. However, the barrister lacks the authority to mandate individuals to provide testimonies. It is possible that former prime ministers and home secretaries, including Boris Johnson, Rishi Sunak, Dame Priti Patel, Suella Braverman, and Grant Shapps, may be called upon for testimony. In 2022, the Home Office repurposed the former military facility near Ramsgate to accommodate the increasing number of asylum seekers arriving in small boats. The center became overcrowded, housing approximately 4,000 individuals – thrice its capacity.
During the height of the crisis, then-Home Secretary Braverman faced accusations in Parliament regarding her handling of the migrant arrivals. Later, a 31-year-old man, Hussein Haseeb Ahmed, passed away in hospital after seemingly contracting diphtheria at the facility. The disclosure of a document listing the alleged failures from a legal hearing earlier this year prompted High Court intervention, leading to its circulation to BBC News, the Guardian, and the Independent. The document reveals a range of accusations and incidents, indicating potential violations of various regulations and laws at the Manston center.
Prepared for the current Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, a briefing note discusses the multitude of incidents and allegations documented at Manston between June and November 2022. The note mentions the possibility of damage to the Home Office’s reputation as a result of the investigation. Notably, it identifies key individuals who may need to provide evidence, including former Home Secretaries and external decision-makers such as former Prime Minister Boris Johnson. The Home Office, along with other government departments, is set to offer legal guidance to the former ministers involved in the inquiry. While the inquiry is ongoing, a spokesperson refrained from providing further comments on the matter
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