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Asylum seekers' doors repainted in Stockton and Middlesbrough Asylum seekers' doors repainted in Stockton and Middlesbrough
(35 minutes later)
The doors of houses accommodating asylum seekers in Middlesbrough and Stockton have begun to be repainted after the occupants complained that having all of them coloured red opened those living there up to abuse. The doors of houses accommodating asylum seekers in Middlesbrough and Stockton have begun to be repainted after complaints that having all of them coloured red left occupants vulnerable to abuse.
James Momoh, 40, from Liberia, said workers had come to paint his door grey in Middlesbrough on Monday, along with all the other red doors in the area. He complained last week that his door made him a target, claiming that eggs had been thrown at it and that a man tried to force his way in with a knife.James Momoh, 40, from Liberia, said workers had come to paint his door grey in Middlesbrough on Monday, along with all the other red doors in the area. He complained last week that his door made him a target, claiming that eggs had been thrown at it and that a man tried to force his way in with a knife.
“Grey is better than red, but as far as I can see, all of the doors that were red are now grey – why are they still all the same? I would prefer white: it’s nice and bright,” he said on Tuesday.“Grey is better than red, but as far as I can see, all of the doors that were red are now grey – why are they still all the same? I would prefer white: it’s nice and bright,” he said on Tuesday.
G4S, the company contracted by the Home Office to accommodate asylum seekers while their claims are processed, confirmed that a number of doors in Middlesbrough and Stockton have been given a grey undercoat. All the previously red doors will be repainted in a variety of colours, a G4S spokesman said. A number of doors have been repainted purple, according to locals. G4S, the company contracted by the Home Office to accommodate asylum seekers while their claims are processed, confirmed that a number of doors in Middlesbrough and Stockton had been given a grey undercoat. All the previously red doors will be repainted in a variety of colours, a G4S spokesman said. A number of doors have been repainted purple, according to locals.
The work is being carried out by workers employed by Jomast, a housing company subcontracted by G4S to provide the properties.The work is being carried out by workers employed by Jomast, a housing company subcontracted by G4S to provide the properties.
Jomast owns nearly 300 houses in Middlesbrough and about 160 in Stockton rented to G4S to house asylum seekers, the G4S spokesman said. Officials from G4S would confirm exactly how many had red doors when they appeared before the Commons home affairs committee later on Tuesday, he added, insisting that only a “proportion” had red doors.Jomast owns nearly 300 houses in Middlesbrough and about 160 in Stockton rented to G4S to house asylum seekers, the G4S spokesman said. Officials from G4S would confirm exactly how many had red doors when they appeared before the Commons home affairs committee later on Tuesday, he added, insisting that only a “proportion” had red doors.
The issue came to the fore last week when the Times revealed that asylum seekers were housed in properties with red doors which made them a target for racists and vandals. The issue came to the fore last week when the Times revealed that asylum seekers were housed in properties with red doors, which made them a target for racists and vandals.
Peter Neden and John Whitwam of G4S, and Stuart Monk of Jomast, are due to give evidence to the committee.Peter Neden and John Whitwam of G4S, and Stuart Monk of Jomast, are due to give evidence to the committee.
A G4S spokesman said: “The doors are being repainted a variety of colours. I am reluctant to confirm exactly what colours they are repainting them in. That would defeat the object rather.A G4S spokesman said: “The doors are being repainted a variety of colours. I am reluctant to confirm exactly what colours they are repainting them in. That would defeat the object rather.
“They are not our properties, they belong to Jomast, and they are conducting the repainting. They have confirmed to us that the red doors will be repainted in a range of different colours, and not one predominant colour.”“They are not our properties, they belong to Jomast, and they are conducting the repainting. They have confirmed to us that the red doors will be repainted in a range of different colours, and not one predominant colour.”