THE UK will open the country's first ‘migrant holding camp’ for people who have crossed the Channel in small boats from next week.
The disused Kent military barracks were converted to camps where people will be housed during the processing of their asylum claims.
According to reports, as many as 400 people, including families, will stay in temporary accommodation at Napier Barracks in Folkestone, initially.
That will include migrants who have crossed to the UK in small boats.
The plan is likely to attract protest from various corners as local MP Damian Collins said he 'will not support' the project.
He also urged the government to find another 'suitable' place to set up such a camp.
The MP along with the leader of Folkestone and Hythe district Council and the chairman of Sandgate Parish Council wrote to home secretary Priti Patel to reverse the decision.
"We have great concerns about the impact this large open camp will have on the welfare of the local residential community and also those people in the asylum system who will be placed at the barracks itself," the letter said.
According to reports, local residents alleged that the Home Office was 'very poor' in communicating the plans of the migrant camp.
In this week, so far, dozens more migrant arrivals were recorded on Kent beaches.
A recent media report said that a barracks in Pembrokeshire, Wales, is also being considered to convert to a 'migrant camp'.
for use by the Home Office, the PA news agency reported. It comes as more than 168 on Monday. At least 151 migrants came on Tuesday,
According to reports, more than 300 people crossed to the UK on small boats in this week, with some landing on a beach in Kent.
In a recent statement, the government clarified that it work closely with organisations, including local authorities and law enforcement, throughout the process of finding proper housing places for migrants.
"We want to ensure that the vulnerable asylum seekers, who would otherwise be destitute, have suitable accommodation while their claims are processed."
Meanwhile, immigration minister Chris Philp announced that 14 people who had crossed the Channel to Britain had been deported on Tuesday(15).
Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in northwest of London, in July 2024. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Crossbow murderer found guilty of raping ex-girlfriend
A 26-YEAR-OLD man who murdered three women in a crossbow and stabbing attack has been found guilty of raping one of them, his ex-girlfriend, a British court ruled on Thursday.
Kyle Clifford had previously pleaded guilty to the murders of BBC sports commentator John Hunt’s wife and two daughters at their home in Bushey, northwest of London, in July 2024.
The attack led to a manhunt before Clifford was found injured hours later in a north London cemetery.
A jury at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday convicted Clifford of raping 25-year-old Louise Hunt before killing her.
His sentencing for all the crimes is scheduled for Tuesday.
Clifford had admitted to murdering Carol Hunt, 61, and her daughters Louise and Hannah, 28. He had also pleaded guilty to charges of false imprisonment and possessing offensive weapons but denied raping Louise.
During the trial, the court heard that after killing Carol Hunt, Clifford waited for an hour before attacking Louise, tying her up, raping her, and then killing her with a crossbow. He later killed Hannah when she returned home from work.
The prosecution described Clifford, a former soldier, as committing a "violent, sexual act of spite" and said he was "enraged" after Louise ended their 18-month relationship. They told the court that he had "carefully planned" the attack.
Less than 24 hours before the killings, Clifford had searched for a podcast by social media influencer Andrew Tate, according to the prosecution. They argued that the murders were driven by the "violent misogyny promoted" by Tate.
Justice Joel Bennathan called Clifford’s crimes "dreadful" and "almost unspeakable".
(With inputs from AFP)