Suella Braverman ‘advised to scrap asylum seekers plan for air base’

A senior Home Office official reportedly advised the Home Secretary to stop work at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire.

RAF Scampton (Callum Parke/PA) (PA Wire)

Home Secretary Suella Braverman was advised to scrap plans to house asylum seekers at a former RAF base, it has been reported.

According to an email reportedly seen by the BBC in February, a senior Home Office official advised the home secretary to stop work at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, warning of “significant challenges to progress”.

The email from the Resettlement, Asylum Support and Integration Directorate, which formed part of the evidence, recommended the Home Secretary “agree to stop work on proposals for RAF Scampton”.

West Lindsey District Council, which has secured funds from a developer to regenerate the site, on Thursday lost the first round of a High Court challenge to the plans.

Mr Justice Kerr had been asked to impose an interim injunction, preventing the Home Office moving “materials, equipment or people” on to the land, but he dismissed the council’s application.

Crews from 617 Squadron flew from Scampton for the Dambusters raid on the night of May 16-17, 1943.

The Red Arrows display team also trained at the base.

In a similar case, Braintree District Council says it aims to appeal after losing a High Court fight over Home Office proposals to house asylum seekers at Wethersfield Airfield.