Napier Barracks in Kent
(Picture: PA Wire)Protesters staged a demo outside a north London hotel on Tuesday after the Home Office told asylum seekers there they would be moved to the controversial Napier Barracks.
Dozens of activists gathered outside the hotel in Haringey with banners declaring: “Refugees are welcome here.”
Seven people staying at the hotel were informed by the Home Office that it wanted to move them to Napier, a 130-year-old former military base in Folkestone.
Napier has been repeatedly at the centre of controversy after inspections found poor living conditions and other failings.
An apparent move on Tuesday did not take place amid the protest and council opposition.
One of the campaigners involved, Michael Calderbank, told the Standard: “Two or three of the asylum seekers came out and put their bags on the van.
“They were clearly confused, it was clear they had not had a proper explanation or translation of why they were being moved.
“And then at that point there was some decision that was made and their stuff was taken back off the van. It was decided the van was not going to go and the Home Office wasn’t going to take them away today.”
Haringey Council said it received just 24 hours notice of the decision, and urged the Home Office to reconsider.
Council leader Cllr Peray Ahmet said: “We are extremely concerned to learn, that in the week before Christmas, they will be removed to the Napier Barracks, with no notice and no choice.
“The former army barracks in Kent were being used to detain people seeking asylum and the conditions there were reportedly responsible for an outbreak of Covid-19 affecting more than 200 people, numerous fires and several suicide attempts.”
She added that those at the hotel were “fleeing conflict or persecution of some kind”, saying: “Our guests feel safe here and are slowly rebuilding their lives after trauma and conflict.”
The decision had also been criticised by local Labour MP Catherine West, who said she wrote to the immigration minister asking for any moves to be put on hold.
In a statement, she said: “This is a shameful way to treat vulnerable people just days before Christmas.
“People have come here seeking sanctuary and are being supported by local health services, charities, faith groups and the council.
“To strip them away from this support without any warning or assessment of their needs is cruel and has caused huge anxiety for people who have already suffered unimaginable traumas.”
Ministers have vowed to stop using hotels to house migrants, with Rishi Sunak pledging last week that alternative sites like disused holiday parks, former student halls and surplus military sites would be used instead.
A Home Office spokesperson said the Government “continues to provide safe accommodation for destitute asylum seekers who need it as we work to end the use of hotels which are costing UK taxpayers almost £6million a day.
“Our accommodation contractor at Napier provide full-board accommodation which is safe, comfortable and meets our standards of service.
“Individuals housed in our accommodation may be moved to other locations in line with the Allocation of Accommodation guidance. No one will be moved if deemed unsafe for them.”
In its latest inspection, the Independent Chief Inspector of Borders and Immigration found that conditions at Napier had improved but that “the site still had a neglected appearance”.
