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| Police launch investigation into claims of sexual abuse at immigration centre | Police launch investigation into claims of sexual abuse at immigration centre |
| (2 days later) | |
| Police have launched an investigation into claims that a woman who was held at an immigration removal centre was subject to inappropriate sexual behaviour from guards. | Police have launched an investigation into claims that a woman who was held at an immigration removal centre was subject to inappropriate sexual behaviour from guards. |
| The 23-year-old alleges that she had sexual contact with male guards at Yarl's Wood in Bedfordshire, which her lawyer said could amount to misconduct in public office. | The 23-year-old alleges that she had sexual contact with male guards at Yarl's Wood in Bedfordshire, which her lawyer said could amount to misconduct in public office. |
| Harriet Wistrich of the law firm Birnberg Peirce urged the government to investigate and said consent could be an issue in the matter. Wistrich said the alleged case revealed by the Observer, involving a Roma woman who was released from the centre last March, was not an isolated one. | Harriet Wistrich of the law firm Birnberg Peirce urged the government to investigate and said consent could be an issue in the matter. Wistrich said the alleged case revealed by the Observer, involving a Roma woman who was released from the centre last March, was not an isolated one. |
| "The government needs to look at what the hell is going on at Yarl's Wood, that this could happen in such a widespread abuse," she said. "It's not a one-off. They need to investigate the whole system there, because it has not worked." | "The government needs to look at what the hell is going on at Yarl's Wood, that this could happen in such a widespread abuse," she said. "It's not a one-off. They need to investigate the whole system there, because it has not worked." |
| She said the issue was whether individuals being detained at the centre were capable of giving consent, adding: "The problem is that it is not an environment where they are making free choices at all ... If an officer conducts himself way outside the permitted rules of behaviour, that may amount to another offence of misconduct in public office, whether it was consensual or not, even if it is not an assault. | She said the issue was whether individuals being detained at the centre were capable of giving consent, adding: "The problem is that it is not an environment where they are making free choices at all ... If an officer conducts himself way outside the permitted rules of behaviour, that may amount to another offence of misconduct in public office, whether it was consensual or not, even if it is not an assault. |
| "This is precisely the kind of case the government says they are gong to remove legal aid from. It is a classic example of the government saying they are saving money but actually, they're removing challenges to the abuse of state powers." | "This is precisely the kind of case the government says they are gong to remove legal aid from. It is a classic example of the government saying they are saving money but actually, they're removing challenges to the abuse of state powers." |
| Serco, which runs the centre, has denied there is a widespread issue at Yarl's Wood. | Serco, which runs the centre, has denied there is a widespread issue at Yarl's Wood. |
| A Home Office spokesman said: "We take the welfare of our detainees very seriously. Detention and removal are essential parts of effective immigration controls, but it is vital that these are carried out with humanity and dignity, and we are committed to ensuring that this is the case. | A Home Office spokesman said: "We take the welfare of our detainees very seriously. Detention and removal are essential parts of effective immigration controls, but it is vital that these are carried out with humanity and dignity, and we are committed to ensuring that this is the case. |
| "We expect contractors to maintain the highest standards. Any allegations of misconduct are thoroughly investigated and, if necessary, they will be reported to the appropriate authorities, including the police. | "We expect contractors to maintain the highest standards. Any allegations of misconduct are thoroughly investigated and, if necessary, they will be reported to the appropriate authorities, including the police. |
| "We operate a comprehensive complaints system for detainees who feel that they have not been treated in accordance with our published operating standards." | "We operate a comprehensive complaints system for detainees who feel that they have not been treated in accordance with our published operating standards." |
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