WDC council leaders say they are deeply dismayed and disappointed by the government and Home Office Minister’s failure to
communicate openly this key information.
On Monday (18 May), Wealden District Council says it uncovered details in court papers revealing that two government departments have agreed between themselves to allow the camp the option to remain open until 2030. This is despite repeated promises from the government and the Home Office Minister Alex Norris MP that the camp was only temporary, and would be open for no longer than 12 months, they say. Wealden has been asking the Home Office formally about this for some time.
Pressed to respond, WDC say the Home Office told the council that “no decision has been made.”
Leader of the council, Councillor Rachel Millward said: “Everyone round here is wearily familiar with the Home Office’s inability to make a decision. People whose lives are directly affected by that are left guessing. Why can’t the minister have the courage to tell it how it is and outline a plan, instead of hidden conversations behind closed doors? The entire project has been disastrously handled by the Home Office with a shocking lack of communication. We struggle to understand how the Home Office can justify such poor mismanagement.
“Asylum seekers deserve to be treated with dignity and humanity, not left in unsuitable temporary accommodation with inadequate support and no transparency for either residents or the local community. We have asked the Minister Alex Norris for an urgent explanation.”
The Home Office has been approached for comment.