Councillors criticise handling of barracks asylum seeker plan

Members of the group Inverness for All gathered outside the special meeting of Highland Council to show support for asylum seekers

Highland councillors have criticised the UK government's handling of a plan to house about 300 asylum seekers at Cameron Barracks in Inverness.

The Home Office proposes using the military training base, and Crowborough army training camp in East Sussex, as temporary accommodation to help end the use of hotels.

Highland Council's leader, SNP councillor Raymond Bremner, insisted the local authority had not been consulted - a day after Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander told MPs a "range of local organisations" were told in advance.

Conservative councillor Isabelle MacKenzie has asked if the council could use planning or legal powers to delay the plans.

Members of the group Inverness for All gathered outside Thursday's special meeting of Highland Council to show their support for the asylum seekers.

During the meeting, Mr Bremner accused the UK government of being "disrespectful" to the role of Highland Council.

He said he wanted to know why Cameron Barracks was chosen and when it would return to military use.

The meeting heard views from other councillors.

Scottish Green Chris Balance suggested common good funds could be used to host a civic buffet for the asylum seekers to welcome them to the city.

Later, council convener and Independent councillor Bill Lobban said he applauded "fairness and sincerity" of the debate.

Councillors agreed to write to the Home Office to seek more clarity on proposals.

Before the meeting, a report by council officials had set out a number of concerns.

They included the scale of the proposal and the pressures that might place on local services - also the potential of protests and the barracks becoming a target for people "deliberately wishing to incite violence and hatred".

The report also said the Highlands had "a strong track record" in supporting refugee and displaced people fleeing war and persecution within their own counties.

The Home Office has produced a fact sheet on its Cameron Barracks plans.

It said the UK government had a statutory obligation to provide accommodation to asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute.

The Home Office said Cameron Barracks provided "basic, safe accommodation" for asylum seekers and was designed to be as self-sufficient as possible.

It said the site was recently used as transitional accommodation for the Afghan Resettlement Programme.

A spokesperson added: "We are furious at the level of illegal migrants and asylum hotels.

"This government will close every asylum hotel. Work is well underway, with more suitable sites being brought forward to ease pressure on communities across the country.

"We are working closely with local authorities, property partners and across-government so that we can accelerate delivery."