Illegal immigrants scale heights

The centre, a former Victorian jail, was once a Napoleonic fortress

A removals centre for illegal immigrants at Western Heights, Dover, has seen three escapes in as many days.

Police are investigating whether the Russian man had help to clear the 30ft dry moat at the former Victorian jail.

Now an MP is asking the Home Office why he was not informed when the man fled.

Labour MP Gwyn Prosser said there was no great danger to the public, but it was imperative people were caught and put through the process of removal.

Facing deportation

He said: "We are talking about people who are being held prior to being removed from the country, so we can understand their desperation to get over the wall and disappear into the community.

"That's not to say we shouldn't pursue them and we shouldn't incarcerate them again and go through the process of removals."

Last year, the MP called for more transparency and security at detention and removal centres.

It followed a series of escapes and reports that detainees were fleeing the centre with ease.