Inquiry hears Manston migrant-centre conditions raise serious questions for ministers
A public inquiry into the overcrowded Manston migrant centre has heard that ministers and senior officials tolerated unlawful conditions in 2022, when thousands were held at the Kent site. Evidence described risks to children, disease and the death of an Iraqi man, while the roles of former ministers and Number 10 remain under examination.
Conditions at the Manston migrant reception centre in Kent raise “very serious questions” for ministers and senior officials, a public inquiry has heard. The former military site became severely overcrowded in November 2022, when around 4,000 people were held there during a rise in small-boat crossings. It had been designed for about 1,000 people and for stays of no more than 24 hours.
Claire Dobbin KC, the inquiry’s lead lawyer, said Home Office officials knew the conditions were unlawful and that children were at risk, but lacked an alternative accommodation plan. People slept in marquees, while illness and disease were reported and children who had crossed the English Channel did not receive adequate care. Doctors identified diphtheria at the site.
Hussein Haseeb Ahmed, a 31-year-old Iraqi man suspected of suffering from the disease, was not immediately taken to hospital and died on November 19 after his condition deteriorated. The inquiry heard that he remained handcuffed until about 2am in hospital. Ms.
Dobbin said 81 families at one stage shared a single toilet, with babies, children, teenagers and adults in the same space. Some detainees had visible injuries, including one person who used a croissant wrapper as a dressing because medical care was not provided. The inquiry also heard allegations of racist and hostile treatment by some staff, including threats to withhold meals from people who wanted to use the toilet.
A senior Home Office official reportedly described the conditions as the worst he had seen in two decades and said political decisions had placed officials and suppliers in an impossible position. Former Home Secretaries Priti Patel and Suella Braverman have provided evidence. Ms.
Braverman’s written submissions said Number 10 knew about the situation and that a decision to pause hotel use contributed to overcrowding. The inquiry also heard of prolonged disengagement by former immigration minister Robert Jenrick. It has not yet been decided whether former prime ministers Boris Johnson or Rishi Sunak will give evidence.
Full hearings have not been scheduled, and the inquiry team is continuing to gather evidence.
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