Heathrow immigration centre shocking and dangerous – watchdog

The chief inspector’s letter to Mr Cleverly was prompted by report findings that conditions at the centre had worsened since the previous inspection.

The number of assaults had doubled, there had been several serious suicide attempts and cells had been doubled up to hold more men.

The watchdog also found if detainees refused to share an overcrowded cell, they were held in a separation unit until they agreed.

Staff largely kept to offices with “do not enter” taped across their doors, the watchdog warned.

Mr Taylor said: “The level of chaos that we found at Harmondsworth was truly shocking and we left deeply concerned that some of those held there were at imminent risk of harm.

“Nobody should be detained in an immigration removal centre unless they are going to be removed quickly from the country, yet around 60% of detainees were released from the centre, with only a third deported, which begs the question of why so much taxpayer money was being spent keeping them locked up in the first place.”