Huppert To Visit Oakington

11 June 2010, 06:00

Cambridge MP Julian Huppert is visiting the Oakington Immigration Reception Centre later.

It's after the Lib Dem MP asked Immigration Minister, Damian Green, about procedures there following the recent death of an inmate.

He raised the issue in a written parliamentary question, asking what steps had been taken to review policy and procedures at the centre.

Eliud Nyenze, a Kenyan asylum seeker, died there on the 14th of April, immediately sparking protests from other detainees.

Mr Huppert has since met Mr Nyenze's brother, and said: "It is vital that people fleeing persecution or danger in their own countries should feel they can come to Cambridge and Britain generally and be treated with dignity. 

Locking up people in detention centres is not the way to treat these people. It is a poor reflection of our country and we need to change this. 

I am anxious to make sure that procedures and policies are reviewed at the centre and lessons learned following the death of Mr Nyenze and the incident that followed."

In a statement at the time of the inmate's death, G4S, which runs the centre, said: "Early this morning a detainee at Oakington Immigration Removal Centre sadly passed away, despite the best efforts of our staff and the emergency services. 

Our condolences are being passed to his family at this very sad time.

At this stage we understand from the police that his death is due to natural causes, although we will cooperate fully with the normal investigations which follow such incidents."