Read Jack's letter to the Home Secretary here.
A Home Office official contacted Windsor MP Jack Rankin on Wednesday (30/10/24) night informing him that The Manor Hotel in central Datchet would be used to house “single adult male” illegal migrants “within the next 24 hours”.
Jack has written urgently to the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper, to demand a meeting with her and senior Home Office officials following the decision.
The Manor Hotel was used to house both families and single males between September 2022 and early 2024, before it was closed by the then Conservative government. At the time, there were reports from residents and businesses of drug activity and antisocial behaviour linked to those residing at the hotel.
When the hotel was first used, the Home Office faced backlash from the local Council for the “minimal notice” provided.
The Home Office stated that the decision had been taken “as we continue to see high number of arrivals across the channel.” In his letter to the Home Secretary, Jack questioned the extremely short notice, given the rate of recent channel crossings and the decommissioning of the Bibby Stockholm.
He also emphasised the impact of closing the hotel on the local economy, as the village’s businesses depend on tourists staying in the village to survive.
Commenting, Jack said:
“This is an outrageous decision from the Home Office.
“It drives business away from the local economy and – given the reports of drug dealing and antisocial behaviour last time the hotel was used - raises serious concerns for local residents and children who attend schools nearby.
“I struggle to believe that the mere hours of notice we have been provided with could not have been avoided.
“I’ve raised this as a matter of utmost urgency with the Home Secretary, asking for a meeting so I can tell her directly just how inappropriate this location is.”
