An investigation has opened after a racist message calling asylum seekers the N-word was ‘blasted out’ on radios used by Home Office contractors at a migrant centre.
The offensive message, which reportedly said ‘f*** off you N-words, go back to where you came from’ allegedly came from portable speakers at the Manston processing site for those arriving via small boats in Thanet, Kent.
A meeting was held at Manston last Friday to discuss the message, which has been condemned by both the Home Office and it’s contractors Mitie.
Due to the radio being portable, it is said to be difficult to detect who broadcast the racist message, The Guardian first reported.
It has not been confirmed how many asylum seekers heard the message, with many new arrivals at Manston suffering from petrol burns and hypothermia after crossing the Channel.
Many who reach Manston reportedly come from countries including Sudan and Eritrea, after suffering long and treacherous journeys.
A Home Office spokesperson said: ‘We completely condemn the use of this language and behaviour.
‘We expect Mitie, our contractor, to investigate this claim quickly.’
The Manston immigration short-term holding facility in Thanet, Kent, where the offensive message was reportedly heard
Many new arrivals at Manston suffering from petrol burns and hypothermia after crossing the Channel
A Mitie spokesperson said: ‘This language is unacceptable and we expect the highest standards from anyone working on site.
‘As soon as we were made aware of the allegations, we took immediate steps to investigate. A new closed-net radio system has been agreed with the Home Office.’
In 2022, Mitie revealed it received complaints two years prior of racist comments from some members of staff in a WhatsApp group. However, it failed to ‘escalate’ them.
Louise Calvey, the director of the charity Asylum Matters, said: ‘This is a horrifying report. The people in Manston have newly arrived into our country to ask for our help.
‘This is by no means the first report of these sorts of rights abuses at the hands of companies which make huge profits from our asylum system.’
The offensive message, which reportedly said ‘f*** off you N-words, go back to where you came from’ allegedly came from portable speakers at the Manston processing site (pictured)
In 2023, Suella Braverman bought large tents to house up to 2,000 asylum seekers on disused military sites to avoid using expensive hotels.
The former Home Secretary purchased the marquees to accommodate migrants, it was reported at the time.
The Times, which first reported the tent purchases, cited government sources saying a similar proposal was rejected the year before because of warnings it would trigger legal challenges based on the inhumane treatment of asylum seekers.
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