Scottish Government refuses to say if it backs Inverness asylum plan with Fergus Ewing seeking action as Home Office minister agrees to meet social justice secretary
The Scottish Government has not adopted a position on UK government plans to house 300 asylum seekers in Inverness despite knowing about it for six weeks.
It comes after the Home Office briefed Fergus Ewing revealing the SNP government has not formally confirmed its position despite being “deeply concerned” at the plan.
The Inverness and Nairn MSP has written to First Minister John Swinney, stating: “My constituents have a right to know where their Scottish Government stands on this issue.”
But when asked directly if the Scottish Government will make its mind up on the plan this week, the question went unanswered.
News the Home Office would house 300 male asylum seekers in Cameron Barracks broke last Tuesday in the media rather than as a formal announcement.
The move blindsided MSPs and the local MP leading to urgent questions in Holyrood and Westminster.
Locally, there was a groundswell of diverse and hotly contested views on the matter. It has led to a 10,500 signatory petition and calls for a “peaceful non-racist” march to the barracks.
Highland Council will hold a special meeting on Thursday where it is expected to reveal a timeline of contact with the Home Office on the matter.
Mr Ewing was angered that the Scottish Government and other local bodies knew about the plan but kept it confidential.
Social justice secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said she had known about it since September - almost six weeks before the public.
Now Mr Ewing has called on Bute House to work to reverse the decision, citing local “concerns not borne of racism” by writing to Mr Swinney.
“My view is if the Scottish Government joined the campaign it should succeed,” he said. “But if they don't it may fail. So far they are sitting on the fence.
“The Scottish Government said they had not known about it and learned about it only from the media reports. But this has now shown to be misleading because the UK government wrote to the Scottish Government back in mid-September.
“It is time for the Scottish Government to be honest and tell the truth to the people of Inverness. Do you back the UK government? Or those in Inverness who are seriously concerned about it.”
He addressed his constituents’ concerns directly to Mr Swinney after the UK government indicated that it would not provide any additional resources for the accommodation.
He said: “My constituents have a variety of concerns about the lack of suitability of this particular location as a place to accommodate asylum seekers.
“These relate to personal safety, as well as lack of public services sufficient to meet the needs of those who would be placed in Inverness and for the general protection of peace and order.”
Ms Somerville revealed she is due to meet with Home Office minister Alex Norris on Tuesday, having already met with Highland Council earlier today.
She said: “I am pleased that the Home Office has finally heeded this call, and I will meet Minister Norris from the Home Office to once again put forward our position. This follows engagements with Highland Council today.
“While asylum policy and the provision of asylum accommodation is the responsibility of the UK Government, I am deeply concerned and dismayed about the lack of engagement from the Home Office with the Scottish Government, Highland Council and local service providers.
“Decisions, such as the use of sites as large as Cameron Barracks, must be made in partnership with local government and in consultation with local communities.
“That is why I wrote to the Home Secretary on 26 September, and again last week, calling for an urgent meeting with the Scottish Government, COSLA and Highland Council to discuss their plans.
“We have long called for the UK Government to deliver a more effective and humane asylum system that treats people fleeing conflict and persecution with dignity and respect.
“We stand ready to work constructively with the UK Government to provide safety and sanctuary for people seeking asylum and to support integration into our communities.
“However, this must come with the appropriate financial assistance to enable local authorities and other service providers to provide the necessary wraparound support services.
“Such collaborative working is the only way to ensure a coherent approach to asylum accommodation is achieved - one which works for both local communities and asylum seekers.”