Ex-base 'to take foreign inmates'

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A former RAF base in Norfolk is set to be used to house foreign nationals who have served jail sentences but cannot be deported, the BBC can reveal.

Ministers want to turn RAF Coltishall into an immigration detention centre.

It would be used to house people who cannot be deported as they come from countries where they might be tortured if they returned.

The base would be used to help free up places in prisons around the country, where they are currently being held.

At present it is not known how many people would be housed in RAF Coltishall or when it would take its first inmates.

Last week it was revealed that RAF Coltishall was being looked at as a possible makeshift prison, but there was no suggestion of the type of prisoners who were to be held at the site.

A Home Office spokesman told BBC News at the time: "We're in negotiations over prison ships and we're in discussions with the Ministry of Defence about possible locations we can use.

"We are looking at a number of sites and considering all available options. Last week we confirmed we are going to open HMP Kennett in Liverpool."

On Monday a spokeswoman from the Home Office refused to comment on the specific use of the former base.