MYSTERY surrounds the suspension of the chaplain at Campsfield House, Father Seraphim Vanttinen-Newton.
Father Seraphim has been addressing pastoral needs of detainees for more than five years.
Father Seraphim, who lives in Witney, and GEO, which runs Campsfield House, on behalf of the border and immigration agency, both declined to comment on the suspension.
Asylum seeker groups maintained the churchman had been involved in a series of disputes with the management of the detention centre.
But it is understood that GEO has acted against him over "administrative mistakes."
Dr Evan Harris, MP for Abingdon and Oxford West, said the suspension raised issues about the terms of chaplains' employment at Campsfield and the rules regarding "whistle blowing" and their freedom to speak out.
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