Hundreds of migrants ‘detained illegally at immigration removal centres’

Overflow of migrants held at Manston site was described as ‘no longer legal’, Home Office emails reveal

Hundreds of migrants ‘detained illegally at immigration removal centres’ (Gareth Fuller/PA) (PA Wire)

More than 400 asylum seekers were illegally detained at immigration removal centres, Home Office emails have revealed.

The detention of between 450 and 500 migrants held as “overflow” from the Manston processing centre in November was described at the time as “no longer legal”, according to emails obtained by the BBC.

During a surge in Channel crossings in October, as many as 4,000 people were being detained at Manston, which is designed to hold just 1,600.