The re-opening of a "cruel" immigration centre should be "halted", an Oxford MP has said.
The UK Government’s plans to re-open an immigration centre in Kidlington, which previously closed in 2018, have received strong criticism from the MP for Oxford West and Abingdon Layla Moran.
Campsfield House first opened in 1993 and closed in 2017 after significant local protests.
READ MORE: Immigration centre Oxfordshire: Layla Moran urges 're-think'
The government plans to re-open the site and it could be redeveloped to create a 400-bedroom centre for men.
With the government’s Illegal Migration Bill awaiting its third reading in the House of Commons, Ms Moran has written a letter to the Minister of State for Immigration Robert Jenrick outlining concerns surrounding re-opening the site.
CLICK BELOW TO SUBSCRIBE TO ED'S WEEKLY NEWSLETTER FOR FREE
Ms Moran said: “Immigration detention is cruel, ineffective, costly and will have enormous impacts for our local community.
“It was clear from our discussion that across parties, and across levels of government we stand united in opposition to these proposals.
“With the current backlog of asylum claims standing at over 160,000 the government must instead prioritise improving the system for processing claims.
“Spending £170 million of taxpayer money on a facility to hold 400 people is nonsensical.”
READ MORE: Business owner says councillor has 'no respect for truth'
Ms Moran has urged Mr Jenrick to halt plans to re-open Campsfield House.
The letter was also signed by councillors representing the Labour Party, the Conservative Party, the Green Party and the Liberal Democrats, alongside representatives from Asylum Welcome and the Coalition to Keep Campsfield Closed.
The Home Office has previously said re-opening the centre would be a chance to provide local employment.
Oxford City Council previously voted in favour of a motion condemning the re-opening of the site on November 28, 2022.
Councillor Andrew Gant has supported Ms Moran's calls for the centre to be closed permanently.
He said:"Campsfield House should be closed.
"I am proud of the long and vigorous local campaign opposing Campsfield, and repeat my support for that campaign.
"This Tory government's treatment of some of the world's most vulnerable people is a disgrace.
"The Illegal Migration Bill reverses many decades of consensus around the basic levels of decency which a civilised country should offer to those fleeing violence and need and seeking sanctuary.
"Even Tory MPs are opposing the opening of new facilities in their own constituencies."
Mr Gant said Oxfordshire's Tories had been "weak" on the issue and he said refugees were "welcome in Oxfordshire".
Director of Asylum Welcome Mark Goldring said: “Incarcerating asylum seekers in a penal facility like Campsfield is inhumane and unnecessary.
"Prisons already exist for people who have been convicted or are suspected of serious offences."
READ MORE: Broad Street bomb scare: Oxford traders and students react
The site is set to house foreign criminals and immigration offenders in a combination of refurbished and new-build accommodation.
A Home Office spokesman has previously said: “The government is committed to the removal of foreign criminals and those with no right to be in the UK.
“Immigration removal centres play a vital role in controlling our borders.
"The new site at Campsfield House will help to ensure we effectively deal with those who are here illegally.
“As plans progress, we will continue to engage with the local community, the police and other interested parties.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel