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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 people | MDP Wethersfield, which is being used as an asylum centre, has a capacity for 580 people |
| A 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 said the government failed to take into account the three claimants' experiences of torture, mental health conditions and disabilities. | Mr Justice Timothy Mould said the government failed to take into account the three claimants' experiences of torture, mental health conditions and disabilities. |
| He was also told the asylum centre was "seriously inadequate", with residents queuing for food and experiencing outbreaks of scabies. | He was also told the asylum centre was "seriously inadequate", with residents queuing for food and experiencing outbreaks of scabies. |
| Mr Justice Mould ruled that Braverman was in breach of her duties under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. | Mr Justice Mould ruled that Braverman was in breach of her duties under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999. |
| The government failed to assess the "equalities implications" of housing them at Wethersfield, he said. | The government failed to assess the "equalities implications" of housing them at Wethersfield, he said. |
| "That is a most serious and inexplicable omission," he said. | "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." | "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 | 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 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. | The other two - named MN and HAA - were also victims of torture and trafficking. |
| HAA struggled staying in shared rooms at a large occupancy site and was a "potentially vulnerable individual". | HAA struggled staying in shared 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. | A claim made by a fourth asylum seeker, who was also an ex-resident at MDP Wethersfield, was dismissed by the judge. |
| Residents living near Wethersfield have protested the use of it as an asylum centre, including in July 2023 | Residents living near Wethersfield have protested the use of it as an asylum centre, including in July 2023 |
| 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 Wethersfield in July 2023 and there were initial plans to accommodate 1,700 people there. | Migrants were moved into Wethersfield in July 2023 and there were initial plans to accommodate 1,700 people there. |
| Lawyers acting for the claimants said their clients "each suffered a serious decline in their mental health". | |
| 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." | 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." |
| Emily Soothill, from law firm Deighton Pierce Glynn, said victims of torture and trafficking should not be housed at Wethersfield. | Emily Soothill, from law firm Deighton Pierce Glynn, said victims of torture and trafficking should not be housed at Wethersfield. |
| "We urge [current Home Secretary] Yvette Cooper to reflect on this judgment, end the use of large sites and close Wethersfield once and for all," said Ms Soothill. | |
| Maddie Harris of Humans For Rights Network said: "Placing people in camp accommodation on ex-military sites is an inhumane way to treat those seeking protection." | Maddie Harris of Humans For Rights Network said: "Placing people in camp accommodation on ex-military sites is an inhumane way to treat those seeking protection." |
| The BBC has contacted the Home Office and Suella Braverman's office for comment. | The BBC has contacted the Home Office and Suella Braverman's office for comment. |