Gainsborough MP threatens to call for review into plans for asylum seekers at former RAF Scampton

Sir Edward Leigh told the Commons the proposals were a "waste of money"

Gainsborough MP threatens to call for review into asylum seekers plans
Author: Andy MarshPublished 19th Sep 2023

Gainsborough's MP is threatening to call for an official review into plans to house asylum seekers at the former RAF Scampton base claiming pursuing the project is wasting public money.

Sir Edward Leigh also says he's considering reporting the Home office to the national audit office over it's plans.

He spoke in the Commons yesterday.

He said: "Using this base will cost more than hotels."

Does she accept she will be acting illegally if her officials disobey the stop order?

"I want to ask the Home Secretary a direct question - because this is crown land and the local authority can't enter the land does she accept she will be acting illegally if her officials disobey the stop order."

Suella Braverman said she disagreed it wasn't value for money and that housing asylum seekers there would reduce the cost of hotel accommodation .

"We have assessed the proposal at Scampton as being value for money."

West Lindsey District Council ordered the Home Office to stop work on the former RAF base two weeks ago, after it deemed there had been a breach of planning controls relating to listed buildings and archaeology on the site of the base.

It said breaches include installing perimeter fencing and undertaking intrusive groundworks which could "cause irreversible damage to important heritage assets".

Scampton was home to the 617 Squadron, known for the Dambusters raid during the Second World War, and was also home to the Red Arrows.

You can hear all the latest news on the hour, every hour.