Asylum-seeker hotel plan is 'shambles'

The Government's asylum policy was in disarray last night after David Blunkett, the Home Secretary, denounced his officials' "incompetence" and ordered a review of plans to use country houses and hotels as induction centres for new claimants.

Ministers were accused of presiding over a "shambles" as they admitted that officials had not adequately consulted residents before confirming plans to use the three-star Coniston Hotel in Sittingbourne, Kent, as an asylum induction centre.

Mr Blunkett said the handling of the affair had been "unsatisfactory". Beverley Hughes, the Immigration minister, said: "I think we have to do this much, much better."

An urgent ministerial review of the National Asylum Support Service will look at failings in the Sittingbourne case, raising doubts about whether the hotel will eventually open its doors to asylum-seekers.

Mr Blunkett said he had demanded a "step change" in the way immigration officials deal with local communities and respond to local MPs. But a Downing Street spokesman insisted the policy of using induction centres would not change.

Oliver Letwin, the shadow Home Secretary, said: "Ministers are meant to be in charge of their departments. I fear this latest shambles illustrates that these ministers are not currently in charge of their department."

Derek Wyatt, the Labour MP whose constituency covers the controversial new centre, said: "It is in disarray. I am sorry to say that against my government."

Mr Blunkett warned of the "danger of an issue of asylum being whipped up ... which can do no good to race relations in this country".

In a separate move to tighten the asylum system, judges are to be given wide powers to tackle asylum-seekers who play the courts system by stringing out their appeals after they have been refused permission to stay in Britain.

New measures will also halve the time allowed for an asylum-seeker to bring an appeal. The new rules published yesterday will also give judges new powers to make cost orders against solicitors who help asylum-seekers to bring unmeritorious claims.