Former PMs and home secretaries may face asylum centre inquiry

Two former prime ministers and three former home secretaries may have to give evidence to an inquiry into serious allegations of chaos and unlawful activity at a centre used to hold cross-Channel migrants.

An internal Home Office document reveals that allegations of failures at the Manston holding centre in 2022 are likely to be "reputationally damaging" to the department.

The document, released after a legal challenge, shows there were at least 39 reports of failings as the centre became overwhelmed that year.

Incidents include a death in custody, unlawful detention of adults and children and Home Office officials charged with conspiracy to steal and misconduct in public office.

The briefing note, prepared for the current Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, sets out "incidents and allegations" at Manston between June and November 2022.

"The list... includes a death in custody, unlawful detention of adults and children, and Home Office officials charged with conspiracy to steal and misconduct in public office," it says.

"Allegations raised include misfeasance in public office, breaches of the European Convention of Human Rights, breaches of... duties to safeguard children, breaches of the Short-Term Holding Facility Rules, breaches of planning permission, and breaches of health, safety, fire, and food safety regulations.

"The investigation of the conditions at Manston will probably be reputationally damaging for the Home Office."

The document details the number of people who may have to give evidence.

"The list of key individuals will include three former Home Secretaries (Rt Hon Dame Priti Patel MP, Rt Hon Suella Braverman MP, and Rt Hon Grant Shapps)," it says.

"External decision makers ultimately influencing the Manston operating model include the former Prime Minister (Rt Hon Boris Johnson), the former Chancellor of the Exchequer (Rt Hon Rishi Sunak, MP), and the former Secretary of State for Defence (Rt Hon Ben Wallace)."

Five further former immigration ministers and Sir Matthew Rycroft, the Home Office's former permanent secretary, may also need to give evidence.

The Home Office and other government departments are expected to provide legal advice to all the former ministers.

A spokesperson said that it would be inappropriate to comment further on the inquiry while it was ongoing.