MP questions asylum centre future

The violence erupted early on Wednesday morning

An MP has questioned the future of an immigration removal centre after riots in which nine people were injured.

Seven staff and two inmates were hurt during violence at Campsfield removal centre near Kidlington, on Wednesday.

Local MP Evan Harris said an investigation should be carried out into the disturbance and the government should consider the centre's future.

The Home Office said there were no plans for an inquiry and shutting the centre was not an option.

The home secretary himself a few years ago declared that Campsfield House was not appropriate for the 21st Century MP Evan Harris

Dr Harris, Lib Dem MP for Oxford West and Abingdon, is a member of the Joint Select Committee on Human Rights.

"There will need to be an investigation of why there has been yet another serious disturbance at Campsfield House, which has been a subject of a number of critical reports by successive chief inspectors of prisons.

"My select committee is already conducting an inquiry into detention of failed asylum seekers following concerns about the physical abuse during removals.

"The home secretary himself a few years ago declared that Campsfield House was not appropriate for the 21st Century, but then of course the government decided to keep it open anyway.

"They will need to look at that question again," he said.

'Fully contained'

A Home Office spokesman told the BBC: "At this stage we are focusing on the incident and once a full assessment of the centre is carried out will confirm whether an investigation will be carried out."

About one third of detainees at the immigration centre are being moved to other sites following Wednesday's riot.

The Home Office confirmed the situation was "fully contained", and none of the 200 detainees had escaped.

One detainee remains in hospital, while the others have all been discharged.

There has been a local campaign to close the centre with a demonstration planned for later this month.