A top United Nations body today demanded an urgent review into why three asylum seekers cleared of rioting at Campsfield House, Kidlington, are still held in prison.

In a letter to the Immigration Department, the United Nations High Commission for Refugees asked for permission to conduct its own review into the detainees' cases.

Three members of the Campsfield Nine, who were all acquitted of rioting at the detention centre, in Langford Lane, Kidlington, are still being kept in Rochester Prison. They are John Quaquah, Stanley Nwaidike and Enahoro Esemuze. Supporters are delighted at the highly unusual step taken by the UNHCR.

Candis Roberts, of Asylum Welcome, said last night: "We are very happy the UNHCR is going to investigate these cases."

Teresa Hayter, of the Campaign to Close Campsfield, added: "It is quite unusual for them to intervene officially and it is very good." The people are detained under immigration laws which are completely arbitrary and subject to no judicial review. "In this case it is particularly sick, when they have been acquitted in crown court."

Earlier this week Mr Esemuze tried to hang himself with strips of blanket because he feared being deported to Nigeria. Unless his lawyers manage to persuade the Home Office to let him stay, he faces being deported to Nigeria.

Both Mr Quaquah and Mr Nwaidike face deportation in the next few days.

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