A government memo has revealed plans for an inquiry into the Manston processing center for small boat arrivals, potentially implicating former UK officials and prime ministers. The center, once a military base, became overwhelmed in 2022, housing 4,000 instead of the intended 1,600, leading to severe health outbreaks and a tragic death from diphtheria. While an initial public inquiry was agreed upon, subsequent home secretary Yvette Cooper scaled it back to a non-statutory inquiry, prompting legal challenges that question the accountability of past leaders in the handling of the facility.
The internal memo disclosed indicated that the inquiry into Manston could involve testimonies from former high-ranking officials, including prime ministers and home secretaries, emphasizing potential reputational damage for the Home Office.
Asylum seekers at Manston were overwhelmed by the system, leading to poor living conditions and outbreaks of diseases like diphtheria, culminating in a tragic death that sparked significant public outrage.
The change from a public inquiry to a non-statutory one by Yvette Cooper limits the ability to compel former officials to testify, raising concerns over accountability.
Legal challenges against the government's inquiry decision reveal tensions within the administration regarding how deeply past leadership should be scrutinized for their failings at Manston.
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