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| Yarl's Wood: Second worker suspended after abuse allegations | Yarl's Wood: Second worker suspended after abuse allegations |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| A second member of staff has been suspended at Yarl's Wood detention centre following allegations of abuse, Home Office Minister Karen Bradley has told MPs. | A second member of staff has been suspended at Yarl's Wood detention centre following allegations of abuse, Home Office Minister Karen Bradley has told MPs. |
| Undercover footage by Channel 4 News showed staff referring to inmates as "animals", "beasties" and "bitches". | Undercover footage by Channel 4 News showed staff referring to inmates as "animals", "beasties" and "bitches". |
| In the House of Commons, Ms Bradley said a second staff member had been suspended from the Bedfordshire centre. | In the House of Commons, Ms Bradley said a second staff member had been suspended from the Bedfordshire centre. |
| She added operator Serco had commissioned a review of its culture. | She added operator Serco had commissioned a review of its culture. |
| Speaking in parliament, Ms Bradley said: "Serco immediately suspended one member of staff who could be identified from information available before broadcast and have suspended another having seen the footage. | Speaking in parliament, Ms Bradley said: "Serco immediately suspended one member of staff who could be identified from information available before broadcast and have suspended another having seen the footage. |
| "The company has also commissioned an independent review of its culture and staffing at Yarl's Wood." | "The company has also commissioned an independent review of its culture and staffing at Yarl's Wood." |
| 'They're all animals' | 'They're all animals' |
| Former barrister Kate Lampard is to carry out the independent review, Serco said. | Former barrister Kate Lampard is to carry out the independent review, Serco said. |
| The centre holds women and families facing deportation. | The centre holds women and families facing deportation. |
| In the undercover footage broadcast on Monday, one guard said: "They're animals. They're beasties. They're all animals. Caged animals. Take a stick with you and beat them up. Right?" | In the undercover footage broadcast on Monday, one guard said: "They're animals. They're beasties. They're all animals. Caged animals. Take a stick with you and beat them up. Right?" |
| A Freedom of Information Act request by Channel 4 News also revealed there were 74 separate incidents of self-harm needing medical treatment at the centre in 2013. | A Freedom of Information Act request by Channel 4 News also revealed there were 74 separate incidents of self-harm needing medical treatment at the centre in 2013. |
| The minister said Home Office officials had already visited the detention centre and highlighted the high standards expected of staff. | The minister said Home Office officials had already visited the detention centre and highlighted the high standards expected of staff. |
| She said: "A sense of fairness must always be at the heart of our immigration system, including for those we are removing from the UK. That is why the allegations made by Channel 4 about Serco staff at Yarl's Wood are serious and deeply concerning. | She said: "A sense of fairness must always be at the heart of our immigration system, including for those we are removing from the UK. That is why the allegations made by Channel 4 about Serco staff at Yarl's Wood are serious and deeply concerning. |
| "As soon as we were made aware of recent allegations, Home Office officials visited Yarl's Wood to provide assurances all detainees were being treated in a safe and dignified manner." | "As soon as we were made aware of recent allegations, Home Office officials visited Yarl's Wood to provide assurances all detainees were being treated in a safe and dignified manner." |
| Ms Bradley said the most recent inspection by the Prison's inspectorate found Yarl's Wood to be a "safe and respectful centre which is continuing to improve", while an independent panel also raised no concerns. | Ms Bradley said the most recent inspection by the Prison's inspectorate found Yarl's Wood to be a "safe and respectful centre which is continuing to improve", while an independent panel also raised no concerns. |
| James Thorburn, managing director of Serco's Home Affairs business, which manages Yarl's Wood, said: "We will not tolerate poor conduct or disrespect and will take disciplinary action wherever appropriate." |