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Suella Braverman visiting Dover amid international criticism

11:38, 03 November 2022

updated: 13:33, 03 November 2022

Suella Braverman is visiting Dover today amid criticism for her claim the UK faces an “invasion” on its south coast and mounting political pressure.

The Home Secretary has come under fire from MPs this week over poor conditions at the Manston immigration processing centre.

Suella Braverman has been criticised home and abroad in recent days
Suella Braverman has been criticised home and abroad in recent days

An estimated 3,500 people are being detained for weeks at the facility which was designed to accommodate 1,600 for no more than a few days.

Government minister Graham Stuart conceded on Thursday that the site was operating illegally and acknowledged that “unfortunate language” had been used by Ms Braverman.

Asked by Sky News if he was comfortable with the government detaining asylum seekers illegally the Tory MP said “Obviously not. None of us are comfortable with it.

"We want it tackled, we want to get a grip, that’s exactly what the Home Secretary is focused on.”

The Home Secretary is expected to shy away from press questions during her visit to Dover, the scene of a petrol bomb attack on an immigration facility on Sunday.

Emergency services in Dover following the petrol bomb attack Photo: Sam Lennon
Emergency services in Dover following the petrol bomb attack Photo: Sam Lennon

Her trip comes as fears are rising in Kent about far-right activity fuelled by the failure to control the number of migrants crossing the English Channel in small boats.

In a letter on send to Ms Braverman on Wednesday, council chiefs in Kent have warned the county is at “breaking point” as a result of the migrant situation, with the potential for disorder at Manston and the risk of far-right violence.

“Kent & Medway makes up just 3% of our country’s geographic space, and yet we are a victim of our geographic position,” reads the letter.

“We are continually called upon to meet national challenges and we do so willingly.

A group of people thought to be migrants gather their belongings before leaving the Manston immigration short-term holding facility. Photo: Gareth Fuller/PA
A group of people thought to be migrants gather their belongings before leaving the Manston immigration short-term holding facility. Photo: Gareth Fuller/PA

“It is time to utilise the remaining 97% of the country to relieve the burden on Kent.

Ms Braverman’s handling of the situation has also been condemned by the prime minister of Albania, who accused Britain of becoming like a “madhouse” with a culture of “finding scapegoats” during a migration crisis where “failed policies” are to blame.

Edi Rama hit out at Ms Braverman’s “crazy” choice of language in a combative Commons debate this week, where she claimed there was an “invasion on our southern coast”.

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