Manston Inquiry
(1 week, 2 days ago)
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The Minister for Border Security and Asylum (Dame Angela Eagle)
In fulfilment of the commitments made by the former Home Secretary, the right hon. Member for Fareham and Waterlooville (Suella Braverman), I am today announcing the establishment of an article 3 ECHR non-statutory independent inquiry to investigate the conditions encountered by those detained at Manston short-term holding facility between June and November 2022.
The inquiry will investigate the decisions, actions and circumstances which led to those conditions, and will reach conclusions on the treatment of those detained. The inquiry may make recommendations regarding the conditions and should investigate whether there are lessons to be learned regarding the Home Office’s handling of the incident.
The formal start date of the inquiry will be 17 March 2025 and I will place a copy of the terms of reference for the inquiry in the Libraries of both Houses.
The inquiry will be chaired by Sophie Cartwright KC, who has experience in inquests and inquiries. Arrangements for the inquiry will be a matter for her, but as the sponsoring Department, the Home Office will provide support and ensure the inquiry has the resources needed to fulfil its terms of reference.
The Government will make no comment on issues which are now in the purview of the inquiry until it has concluded, but we will encourage all current and former public officials with evidence to provide to the inquiry to co-operate with its requests for assistance.
[HCWS439]