The Lib Dems were today challenged by SNP MSP Anne McLaughlin over the Tories backtrack on ending the detention of children in immigration centres.

For the second time Lib Dem claims of ending the detention of children for immigration purposes have come into question after the UK Immigration Minister said he was aiming to minimise child detention, not to end it.

Glasgow MSP Anne McLaughlin today demanded assurances that detention of children by the UK immigration system would be stopped across the UK and asked Scotland’s External Relations Minister Fiona Hyslop to raise the issue with the UK Government.

Anne McLaughlin said: “It is four months since we were told the new Government would end this practice immediately and since the Lib Dems claimed they had secured this change yet it is still taking place and now looks set to continue.

“Ending detention at Dungavel was welcome but we are instead seeing children put through immediate removal to England and the trauma of detention at Yarls Wood.

“The detention of children in immigration centres is wrong and must come to an end across the UK immediately.

“Tavish Scott and Nick Clegg have been repeatedly contradicted by the Tory Minister as their promises come to nothing.

“We must have proper clarity and a proper deadline – the detention of children in immigration centres must end and it must end now

Note:

The Tory / Lib Dem confusion can be found here.