Guardian Cruel, paranoid, failing: inside the Home Office
For the thousands of people who end up on the wrong side of the Home Office each year, there is often a sudden moment of disbelief. This can’t be happening, people tell themselves. They can’t do this, can they? https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2021/may/13/cruel-paranoid-failing-priti-patel-inside-the-home-office
BBC: Police release men from immigration van blocking Glasgow street
Two men who were being detained in an immigration van which was surrounded by protesters have been released.
The move followed a standoff between police officers and protesters in Kenmure Street on Glasgow’s southside.
Early on Thursday people surrounded the Home Office vehicle believed to contain two Indian immigrants who had been removed from a flat.
Hundreds gathered in the area, with one man crawling under the van to prevent it from moving.
The Home Office said the men had been detained over “suspected immigration offences”.
Some of the protesters were heard shouting “let our neighbours go”.
Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-57100259
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Earlier report: Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who is also the MSP for the area, said she was making “urgent inquiries” into the situation. “I am deeply concerned by this action by the Home Office, especially today in the heart of a community celebrating Eid,” she said. She said her office was ready to offer assistance to those detained. Humza Yousaf, the Scottish government’s justice secretary, said he had asked to speak to the home secretary to “make clear just how unacceptable this situation is”.
An immigration van has been surrounded by protesters to block it from leaving a Glasgow street. One man is lying under the vehicle, on Kenmure Street in Pollokshields, while hundreds of people sit around the van and stand on the road. Some of the protesters were heard shouting “let our neighbours go”. Police Scotland said a number of its officers had been called to the south side of the city to support the UK Border Agency. Pictures from the scene showed at least a dozen officers surrounding a Home Office van, marked “immigration enforcement”.
Read more: BBC News, https://is.gd/oA3F7T