High Court judge rules Home Secretary acted 'unlawfully' over detention of migrants at ex-RAF base

The government acted 'unlawfully' over its detention of vulnerable migrants at an ex-RAF base, a High Court judge has ruled. But Mr Justice Mould found the Home Office was in breach of its duty in failing to assess the impact of policy change on asylum seekers with special needs. Boarded up former RAF military accommodation units pictured at what is now the MDP Wethersfield Ministry of Defence facility on July 24, 2024 in Wethersfield Temporary accommodation units housing migrants are pictured on the MDP Wethersfield Ministry of Defence facility on July 24, 2024 in Wethersfield The village has a population of 707 people, the Home Office plans to boost the number of migrants at MDP Wethersfield to 800 The judge made reference to the equality impact assessment saying it 'makes no attempt to assess the equalities implications' of the proposed policy change, which means asylum seekers with disabilities or serious mental health issues may be judged to be suitable for accommodation at Wethersfield. However, the High Court in London found the Home Secretary's updated policies and procedures for identifying asylum seekers unsuitable for Wethersfield, was now capable of operating lawfully. The quiet picture-postcard village in the Home Counties is home to the UK's biggest facility for asylum seekers based at a former RAF HQ Migrants began to be housed at Wethersfield last July, with capacity currently capped at 580 despite initial plans to accommodate 1,700 people.