Pretty sure that if you're booking a plane ticket with a passport that requires a visa to enter the UK, you have to present that visa or evidence of it on check in or you won't be boarded. The fact is, there are no safe and legal ways to claim asylum in this country - the government could process the applications in Calais if it wanted to, but make a political decision not to.

FWIW, I wouldn't support Scampton being used as a detention centre, but I think it's a mistake to conflate the fate of that historical base with immigration. They don't want to be there anymore than you or anyone else wants them to be there.

Without sounding like the national front, racist and all of that bullsh*t, that is part of the problem, it's also the hidden costs, firing the staff means it is possible some of those staff may lose the roof over their heads and become homeless, therefore hard working low paid hospitality staff who were born and bred here are being ejected possibly onto the streets as some live in, to put a roof over the head of someone who has never paid a days worth of taxes into the UK, and in all likelihood shouldn't be here.
It is a sad state of affairs when the UK cannot house and help our homeless who are forced to live on the streets, while we give full board and lodgings to those that have no right in most cases to be in this Country.
There are even pensioners that would welcome three meals a day and a warm hotel room over the winters months.

The secondary cost is possibly a hidden cost, in that these people fired through no fault of their own may well end up on benefits, or should I say those that managed to keep a roof over their heads and an address, those that can't are much more unfortunate as i believe they cannot claim without an address.

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I think Gruinard is uninhabited. Might fit the bill. Just be careful when you're digging!!

That's a bit misleading, you make it sound as though the hotel had no choice in the matter

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It won't be out of a sense of humanity, it would be interesting to know what the Hotel operator is being paid against what their usual tur over would be for the period in question?

FB

Is there any local reaction, for or against?
Silence would confound a few people.

Expat, I was given to understand it was involuntary by the Leader of Suffolk Council.

Plenty of media entries, including statements by the owners / directors that the choice was theirs. The council did object and obtained an injunction which was subsequently overturned.

But again, Expat,

The Novotel Hotel will be well remunerated for their largess. Or are saying that this is a purely Christian act of selflessness on their part?

FB

LOL, no of course not! Simple business decision on their part. Guaranteed occupancy, guaranteed payment - what's not to like! (Oh, and as you seem to suggest, a bit of moral authority (in their eyes)).

They are look8ng at listing scampton Officers mess that will screw them up

https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/n...s-mess-8289203

LBC (radio) are on the case now mentioning it at least once or twice an hour; no mention of the fact the place is practically falling down though or the effort (ie money) which will have to be spent getting it into a fit state for habitation.!

I hope that the 'Wright Memorial' OM bar doors have been preserved!

I wonder if they considered Halton.
A lot of the accomodation is empty now and units are slowly moving out; the airfield is down to close by the end of 2027 (that's the latest I heard anyway) but the camp area which is a mile away could close earlier and much of the living quarters are in fairly good condition.
Henlow likewise appears to be 'on the brink' of becoming empty and once again, the living quarters are still in use.

It's not all quite so black and white, is it.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FsJT39oX...jpg&name=large

No doubt we abandoned many who "assisted" us so if he can substantiate his identity, he should be allowed to stay. I know what you'll say........"he disposed of his identity papers." Well then we have a problem. What on earth is wrong with making sure these unknowns are not allowed to wander about freely. If they are given safe and secure accommodation, what's the problem? Would you arrive in another country seeking asylum and then misbehave......I'm damn sure I wouldn't. I'd be too bloody grateful. Why the hell do we have former servicemen and no doubt women who aren't extended the same "courtesy"? Why are some of our own serving personel virtually living in squalor? Let's start taking care of our own before trying to make life better for god knows how many who often, show no gratitude or allegiance to this country or our way of life. Charity begins at home.....period!

BBC article on-line identifies him by name and picture, using the same picture the Independent used without pixilation. Done by Inayatulhaq Yasini and Swaminathan Natarajanne on 31 Aug 2022. May explain his presence in the Channel, or a red-herring article; there may be more to this case than meets the eye.....

Thats not the same picture in the BBC piece as on the newspaper cover?

Indeed, the BBC pilot is flying a Black Hawk while the Independent pilot is flying a Grand Caravan. Not the same person.

Anyone who assisted HM or other allied forces in Afghanistan shouldn't be threatened with being sent to Rwanda. You'd think their asylum process would be rather more straight forward and with a positive outcome which you could bank on. It would appear that administrative incompetence is the only conclusion one can arrive at, I just hope this kind of cart before the horse nonsense isn't a routine occurrence, but I'm that sure.

FB