Liberal Democrats criticise Home Secretary’s failure to recognise that basic living needs at Penally Camp are not being met

Alistair Cameron, Welsh Liberal Democrat Senedd Candidate for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire, has criticised the Home Secretary, Priti Patel, for failing to understand that the basic living needs of the asylum seekers at Penally Camp are not being met.

This follows a letter from the Home Secretary to Simon Hart MP after a request from Alistair for the asylum seekers to be relocated to more appropriate accommodation in order to meet their basic needs.

In the letter, the Home Secretary states: “The accommodation, which until recently was used by the MOD is safe, habitable, fit for purpose and correctly equipped in line with existing asylum accommodation standards contractual requirements. It has also been adapted to ensure social distancing can be maintained.”

However, Alistair said: “I have seen reports from the asylum seekers about the lack of adequate COVID-19 safety measures (including sleeping 6 to a room), lack of privacy (men of different cultures and backgrounds required to shower together), broken heaters, broken washing machines, inability to contact a doctor, poor quality and quantity of food, water dispensers not being routinely refilled and inadequate provision of hot drinking water. These are basic needs which all of us would reasonably expect. In addition, Hywel Dda University Health Board have stated their concerns about the inability to practise social distancing in the camp.

“I do not believe Penally Camp can be adapted to become a Covid-secure environment and consider the Home Secretary should authorise their immediate relocation to more appropriate accommodation.”

Jane Dodds, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats added: “Liberal Democrats are demanding that the Home Secretary gives a date to move the camp residents given the unsafe and undignified environment in the camp. This is unacceptable – many of the 150 people in the camp have suffered torture and have mental health conditions. This is 2020 and we have to better to meet our fellow human’s physical and emotional needs.”