Foreign Secretary defends opposition to plans for migrant centre on old RAF ... trends now
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The Foreign Secretary has defended his opposition to Home Office proposals to build a new migrant detention centre on a former RAF base in his constituency.
The base at Wethersfield in North Essex, currently used by the Ministry of Defence Police (MDP), has been earmarked to hold 1,500 migrants in the face of significant local opposition that the facility would not be suitable.
Earlier this week James Cleverly, who is both Foreign Secretary and the local MP, backed arguments from council leaders and residents' groups that the site 'wasn't appropriate for asylum accomodation' due to its remote location and lack of surrounding infrastructure.
Yesterday the minister, who was in Paris with Rishi Sunak to push the French government to intensify their efforts to stop people crossing the Channel, said it was 'absolutely right' to make his thoughts known to the Home Office.
Mr Cleverly, the MP for Braintree, told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme: 'I made the point about the practicalities of MDP Wethersfield in my constituency which is very remote from any other social infrastructure.
Earlier this week James Cleverly (pictured), who is both Foreign Secretary and the local MP, backed arguments from council leaders and residents' groups that the site 'wasn't appropriate for asylum accomodation' due to its remote location and lack of surrounding infrastructure
'We are going to be looking at a range of places and I put my thoughts forward. Ultimately no decision has been made and I will continue to support the work of my good friends in the
