Yvette Cooper MP, Labour’s Shadow Home Secretary, responding to the latest reports of abuse not being taken seriously at the Yarl’s Wood Immigration removal centre, said:
“These are shocking allegations of a despicable nature.
“We asked the Government to instigate a joint inquiry of Serco operations by the prisons and borders inspectors over 2 months ago. That action is now unavoidable and the Government must accept our case and hold that inquiry.
“The Home Secretary has refused access to Yarl’s Wood by international inspectors from the UN and has so far refused to properly investigate a series of allegations at Yarl’s Wood. That isn’t right.
“Immigration rules must be enforced, but they must be enforced in a humane way that upholds the values of our society. These allegations raise serious concerns that our system is failing to uphold those values.”
Ends
Notes
In an Urgent Question in March, the Shadow Home Secretary said:
“Given the continuing concerns about Yarl’s Wood, will the Home Secretary commission a joint inquiry on its operations and the Serco contract by the prisons inspectorate and the independent chief inspector of borders and immigration, and will she then report swiftly back to the House?”