Gavin Newlands MP meets with Immigration Minister to discuss Dungavel replacement
Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, has met with the UK Government’s Minister for Immigration to find out more about their plans to close Dungavel detention centre and replace it with a new centre near Glasgow Airport.
Mr Newlands was joined at the meeting with the SNP’s Immigration, Asylum and Border Control spokesperson, Stuart McDonald MP and Alan Brown MP, MP for Kilmarnock and Loudon.
Gavin Newlands, MP for Paisley and Renfrewshire North, said:
“The closure of Dungavel will undoubtedly have an impact on my constituency in Renfrewshire, and more widely on immigration policy in Scotland. As such, it was important that we met with the Minister for Immigration to find out more about their plans and what this means for asylum seekers in Scotland.
“The SNP have repeatedly sought assurances from the UK government that any new facility would address concerns raised around the treatment of asylum seekers detained at the facility. Unfortunately the replacement of Dungavel with a new short-term facility will not result in a more humane approach to detention. This is extremely disappointing as the use of detention centres and forced removals are a stain on the UK government immigration.
“This new centre will allow the UK Government to move detainees hundreds of miles away to longer-term facilities in England – this will remove individuals from their families, friends and legal advisors. There is clearly more questions for the UK Government to answer and it is important that they consult widely on this replacement facility. However, after meeting with the Minister it appears that he doesn’t see the requirement to consult on the closure of Dungavel and its replacement. The SNP will continue to make the case for a fairer policy on immigration.”
