James Cleverly slammed after sudden eviction 'broke Home Office's own rules'

09 December 2023 , 19:35

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James Cleverly and Rwandan foreign minister Vincent Biruta (Image: Anadolu via Getty Images)

Home Secretary James Cleverly was branded “reckless” after ­asylum seekers needing urgent hospital care were evicted from a hotel against medical advice.

Among up to 80 men marched out on Thursday was a dad, 35, at risk of sepsis, waiting for dental treatment. Nearly all his teeth were smashed in a politically motivated attack in Algeria.

Haydar Abdalla, 39, fleeing war-torn Sudan, is being considered for a heart transplant and was removed against an NHS doctor’s advice. He said: “If I return to Sudan I will not be able to get the treatment I need for my heart.”

Many evicted in Colchester, Essex, went to a hotel near London, others to the Bibby Stockholm barge in Dorset. Charity Rama said the Home Office broke its own rules by not consulting on health needs before the evictions. Rama’s Maria Wilby said: “This Government, in its usual disjointed and cruel way, dumped them in another hotel.”

Haydar Abdalla is waiting for a heart transplant

Charlotte Khan of Care4Calais added: “This is consistent with the Government’s systemic and reckless disregard for asylum seekers’ health and wellbeing.”

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There are some 50,000 migrants in 400 hotels, costing £8million a day. The Tories aim to clear 50 sites by February. This week, Mr Cleverly signed a treaty in Rwanda in a bid to save the Tories’ scheme to send migrants there.

The Home Office said: “Asylum accommodation is allocated on a no-choice basis. Individuals may be moved in line with the guidance. We take welfare seriously and work to ensure needs and vulnerabilities are identified.”

Ben Turner