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The move comes after a recent undercover BBC documentary, Detention Undercover: the Real Story, showed employees at Oakington asylum detention centre in Cambridgeshire allegedly abusing residents.

Tony Baldry, MP for Banbury, has written to immigration minister Des Browne calling into question people's confidence in Global Solutions Limited, which will run the 750-person centre at surplus MoD land between Piddington and Arncott.

The Home Office has launched an independent investigation into the allegations made in the television programme, which will be carried out by Stephen Shaw, the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman.

Mr Baldry said: "I am appalled at the evidence which the BBC has broadcast alleging extensive abuse of residents.

"Not only will GSL run the Bicester centre, but ministers have made clear, in recent answers to Parliamentary questions, that it is GSL who will be responsible for the education of children at the proposed accommodation centre, and other social services.

"To suspend 15 employees suggests an endemic failure by GSL to properly recruit, train and supervise its staff."

"Given these circumstances, I would hope that ministers would reconsider whether they are confident that GSL could be entrusted to run an accommodation centre at Bicester if it were to be built."

His words were echoed by Dionne Arrowsmith, co-founder of Bicester Action Group, which was set up to fight the centre.

She said: "GSL and the Home Office have sat around the table giving us reassurances.

"But if GSL are allowed by the Home Office to conduct themselves in that way, it's an outrage.

"I think they should be suspended from this Bicester contract -- they should not be allowed to touch this place."

Immigration minister Des Browne said: "Oakington has a reputation for good staff-detainee relationships.

"I regard it as in the interests of all at the centre to establish the truth of the allegations as quickly as possible."