Manston: Rishi Sunak refuses to comment on future of asylum centre

The Prime Minister has refused to reveal whether a temporary asylum processing centre in Kent will be made permanent.

Rishi Sunak visited Border Force officials at Gatwick Airport after his Rwanda bill passed a crucial Commons vote, despite criticism from 60 Conservative MPs.

In an exclusive interview with BBC South East Political Editor Charlotte Wright, he said he expected the first flights to take off in the spring, but would not be drawn on whether the Manston processing centre would remain open.

A backlog of migrants at the former army barracks in 2022 led to thousands of people being housed in tents, amid overcrowding and outbreaks of disease.

The local Conservative MP, Sir Roger Gale, said he has been assured by the government that the centre will eventually close.