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Wethersfield asylum seekers housed 'unlawfully' at air base Wethersfield asylum seekers housed 'unlawfully' at air base
(32 minutes later)
MDP Wethersfield, which is being used as an asylum centre, has a capacity for 580 peopleMDP Wethersfield, which is being used as an asylum centre, has a capacity for 580 people
The High Court judge has found former Home Secretary Suella Braverman acted unlawfully in accommodating three asylum seekers at a former RAF base. A High Court judge has found former Home Secretary Suella Braverman acted unlawfully in accommodating three asylum seekers at a former RAF base.
The men - who were at MDP Wethersfield in Essex between July 2023 and February 2024 - argued they were living in "prison-like" conditions.The men - who were at MDP Wethersfield in Essex between July 2023 and February 2024 - argued they were living in "prison-like" conditions.
Mr Justice Timothy Mould was told the asylum centre was "seriously inadequate", with residents queuing for food and experiencing outbreaks of scabies.Mr Justice Timothy Mould was told the asylum centre was "seriously inadequate", with residents queuing for food and experiencing outbreaks of scabies.
Lawyers for the individuals said they were vulnerable due to their background and suffered a serious decline in their mental health while at Wethersfield.Lawyers for the individuals said they were vulnerable due to their background and suffered a serious decline in their mental health while at Wethersfield.
Mr Justice Mould found that Braverman was in breach of her duties under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.Mr Justice Mould found that Braverman was in breach of her duties under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.
He said the government failed to assess the "equalities implications" of housing asylum seekers who were disabled or had serious mental health issues at Wethersfield.
"That is a most serious and inexplicable omission," he said.
"It amounts to the clearest failure on the part of the defendant to fulfil the public sector equality duty."
Migrants were first moved into buildings at MDP Wethersfield in July 2023
The first claimant, referred to at the High Court as TG, was a victim of trafficking and serious physical violence, had a disability and had post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.
The other two - named MN and HAA - were also victims of torture and trafficking.
HAA struggled staying in share rooms at a large occupancy site and was a "potentially vulnerable individual".
A claim made by a fourth asylum seeker, who was also an ex-resident at MDP Wethersfield, was dismissed by the judge.
The then-Conservative government announced plans to house migrants at Wethersfield near Braintree, as well as RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, in March 2023.The then-Conservative government announced plans to house migrants at Wethersfield near Braintree, as well as RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, in March 2023.
Migrants were moved into the buildings in July 2023. Migrants were moved into Wethersfield in July 2023.
There were initial plans to accommodate 1,700 people, but capacity was later capped at 580.There were initial plans to accommodate 1,700 people, but capacity was later capped at 580.
A claim made by a fourth asylum seeker, who was also an ex-resident at MDP Wethersfield, was dismissed by the judge.
In his judgement, Mr Justice Mould said the then-home secretary was "required" to act lawfully in each case and provide adequate accommodation to "destitute" asylum seekers.In his judgement, Mr Justice Mould said the then-home secretary was "required" to act lawfully in each case and provide adequate accommodation to "destitute" asylum seekers.
Lawyers acting for the claimants said they were all victims of trafficking, torture and/or serious physical violence who "each suffered a serious decline in their mental health".Lawyers acting for the claimants said they were all victims of trafficking, torture and/or serious physical violence who "each suffered a serious decline in their mental health".
In a statement to media, they said: "The High Court held that the home secretary had made 'a most serious and inexplicable omission' in failing to assess the equalities impact when amending its asylum accommodation policy, the effect of which was that vulnerable asylum seekers with special needs or disabilities may be judged suitable to be accommodated at Wethersfield." In a statement to media, they said: "[The breaches] illustrate that the home secretary is not only required to have a system capable of operating lawfully, she must act lawfully in each individual case."