The shadow cast by the Manston asylum processing centre debacle continues to grow, with fresh criticism directed at former Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick over his refusal to provide crucial evidence to an independent inquiry. The incident has left a stain on the government's handling of migrant arrivals, and Mr Jenrick's reluctance to cooperate is only serving to further tarnish his legacy.
Sophie Cartwright KC, chair of the Manston inquiry, has issued a statement expressing her disappointment at the lack of cooperation from Mr Jenrick. Despite being contacted on 17th October 2025, with multiple agreed extensions to the deadline since then, he has yet to provide a statement or update as of 27th April 2026.
During his tenure as Immigration Minister, conditions at Manston deteriorated significantly, with reports describing squalid living conditions, including overflowing toilets and outbreaks of diseases such as scabies and diphtheria. At its peak, the centre housed over 4,000 individuals, more than double its designed capacity of 1,600 people. Tragically, an asylum seeker named Hussein Haseeb Ahmed fell ill with diphtheria at Manston and later died from related complications in hospital on 19th November 2022.
Mr Jenrick had previously acknowledged that individuals were being kept at Manston for longer than desirable, a fact highlighted by David Neal, the then independent chief inspector of Borders and Immigration. The inquiry is examining policy decisions made by ministers during this period and actions taken to mitigate the poor conditions, including the circumstances surrounding Mr Ahmed's death.
Seema Syeda from the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants has condemned Mr Jenrick's lack of cooperation, stating that as former Minister for Immigration, he was responsible for a system that led to "cruel detention and death". A spokesperson for Reform UK, the party Mr Jenrick now represents, claims his written statement will be provided to the inquiry in due course.