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Calls to explain aslyum 'map' Row over immigrant release order
(20 minutes later)
The Home Secretary is being asked to explain why five illegal immigrants found in north Wales were told to find their own way to a centre in Liverpool. The Home Secretary is asked why North Wales Police were told to release a group of illegal immigrants and let them get to an asylum screening centre.
Shadow Welsh Secretary, who raised the issue in the Commons, said it raised serious questions over security. It is understood that earlier this year officers arrested five men - believed to be from Iraq and Iran.
North Wales Police chief constable Richard Brunstrom has written to John Reid about the incident. The police contacted the Immigration and Nationality Directorate and were told to let them find their way to a asylum screening centre at Liverpool.
Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom has written to John Reid about the matter.
The Home Office said there were "rare occasions" when staff might not be able to attend after police made arrests.The Home Office said there were "rare occasions" when staff might not be able to attend after police made arrests.
Shadow Welsh Secretary Cheryl Gillan, who raised the issue in the Commons, said it raised serious questions over security.
I am absolutely staggered that this appears to be standing government advice on the treatment of illegal immigrants Shadow Welsh Secretary, Cheryl Gillan
Ms Gillan, the MP for Chesham and Amersham, said Home Office officials had even provided a "helpful map" for police to pass on to the men, who had been found in the back of a van which had been stopped.Ms Gillan, the MP for Chesham and Amersham, said Home Office officials had even provided a "helpful map" for police to pass on to the men, who had been found in the back of a van which had been stopped.
The map gave directions to an asylum screening centre in Liverpool.The map gave directions to an asylum screening centre in Liverpool.
Isn't this just another farce being played out by the Home Office but..threatening safety and security of people in Wales Shadow Welsh Secretary, Cheryl Gillan It has emerged that one of the arrested men was carrying a document that confirmed he had been refused permission to enter the UK days earlier.
It has emerged that one of the men, said to come from Iraq and Iran, was carrying a document that confirmed he had been refused permission to enter the UK days earlier. Raising the matter in the Common, Ms Gillan said: "Isn't this just another farce being played out by the Home Office but one that this time is threatening safety and security of people in Wales?"
Ms Gillan raised the case in the Commons on Wednesday.
She said: "Isn't this just another farce being played out by the Home Office but one that this time is threatening safety and security of people in Wales?"
"I am absolutely staggered that this appears to be standing government advice on the treatment of illegal immigrants."I am absolutely staggered that this appears to be standing government advice on the treatment of illegal immigrants.
Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom is awaiting a Home Office reply
"Police officers are effectively forced to release anyone they take into custody and give them directions to the nearest Asylum Screening Unit."Police officers are effectively forced to release anyone they take into custody and give them directions to the nearest Asylum Screening Unit.
'Joint working'
"They are being told to offer the sort of travel advice you'd give to members of the public looking for the nearest railway station or local business rather than given support to deal with people who've entered this country illegally.""They are being told to offer the sort of travel advice you'd give to members of the public looking for the nearest railway station or local business rather than given support to deal with people who've entered this country illegally."
North Wales Police said chief constable Richard Brunstom had written to Home Secretary John Reid about the issue and was awaiting a reply. North Wales Police said Chief Constable Richard Brunstrom had written to Home Secretary John Reid about the issue and was awaiting a reply.
The Home Office said in a statement: "The Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) and police already work closely and effectively and the minister for immigration has announced how he wishes to increase this level of joint working between police and the IND, especially to tackle the hard end of immigration crime.The Home Office said in a statement: "The Immigration and Nationality Directorate (IND) and police already work closely and effectively and the minister for immigration has announced how he wishes to increase this level of joint working between police and the IND, especially to tackle the hard end of immigration crime.
"The Home Secretary has also made it clear that he is determined to ensure that the police and the Home Office worked in a joined up and effective manner.""The Home Secretary has also made it clear that he is determined to ensure that the police and the Home Office worked in a joined up and effective manner."