Originally Posted by
SATCOS WHIPPING BOY
I see the petition with regards to Scampton is at almost 50,000 signatories. Shame that the petition in itself, titled "Stop RAF Scampton Being Turned into a Detention Camp" is grossly misleading. The guests will in no way shape or form be detained. That fact was clarified during discussions regarding Linton On Ouse when it became clear they would be free to roam and the Home Office imposed 10pm "curfew" amounted to nothing more than a welfare call to those who were adrift.
I wish Scampton and Weathersfield every success in blocking Home Office steam-roller tactics. Both sites are wholly unsuitable and if ithey are like Linton - even the refugee charities and welfare organisations said so!
SWB the petition was set up just after the Illegal Migration Bill was announced by the Govt. The proposed use of Scampton and Wethersfield was directly linked to the Bill by the Govt. The Bill makes provision for asylum seekers to be detained (p.13 S. 11 of the Bill) in fact it places a requirement on the Home Secretary to detain and remove asylum seekers within 28 days. Attempts to clarify the situation with the Home Office were stonewalled. The petition was named based on the information provided at the time. (15 March)
On 28/29 March the Home Office clarified the situation. Initially asylum seekers will not be detained at Scampton, they will be housed in accordance with current Home Office guidelines. Once the Illegal Migration Bill passes into law Scampton will be used to detain asylum seekers prior to their return to their country of origin or their removal to a third country (Rwanda).
So no the title is far from misleading. Whilst there are similarities with Linton it appears the Home Office have ‘learnt lessons’ and Scampton is being treated very differently.
Anyway sign the petition, the campaign continues.