Concerns over incident at Campsfield House

6.24.37pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 14th Mar 2007

Responding to the disturbance at Campsfield Detention Centre today, Dr Evan Harris, Local Liberal Democrat MP, said:

"I have spoken to the immigration minister about this issue and the Home Office have told me that all but one of the nine people taken to hospital has been released, and that full control of Campsfield House has been regained."

"There will need to be an investigation of why there has been yet another serious disturbance at Campsfield House, which has been a subject of a number of critical reports by successive chief inspectors of prisons."

Dr Harris is a member of the Joint Select Committee on Human Rights.

"My select committee is already conducting an inquiry into detention of failed asylum seekers following concerns about the physical abuse during removals."

"The Home Secretary himself a few years ago declared that Campsfield House was not appropriate for the twenty-first century, but then of course the Government decided to keep it open anyway. They will need to look at that question again."

"The emergency services responded promptly and they should be thanked for their help today."