A government minister has confirmed two groups of people who had crossed the Channel in small boats were left stranded in London after a “misunderstanding” with Home Office officials.
Sky News spoke to an asylum seeker on Thursday who said he was among one group of 45 migrants removed from Manston migration centre in Kent and taken to Victoria coach station, but not told where to go next by officials.
But Chris Philp has now confirmed two groups had been left in the capital, saying they had told immigration officials “they had addresses to go to, so friends and family, and that turned out subsequently not to be the case”.
The policing minister told Sky News there had been a “misunderstanding”, adding: “How that misunderstanding arose? Maybe it was lost in translation, I don’t know. But clearly, they have now all been looked after.”
Mr Philp also insisted Manston was now legally compliant after court action was launched against the Home Office over conditions at the site.
Reports surfaced earlier this week of severe overcrowding, with estimates Manston was housing 4,000 people compared to the 1,600 it is designed for.
Robert Jenrick, the immigration minister, told Sky News on Wednesday that a judicial review was being brought forward as a result.
But Mr Philp said significant improvements have been made recently” at the centre, adding: “I don’t accept the premise that it’s not legally compliant today. A lot of changes have been made even in the last few days.”