Sunday People

Dished-off detainees

- EXCLUSIVE by Nick Dorman, CRIME CORRESPOND­ENT, and Stian Alexander

ILLEGAL immigrants are getting hot and bothered – over the spiciness of their meals.

Caterers at a centre for those awaiting deportatio­n face an array of daily complaints, said an official probe.

Tensions among up to 60 nationalit­ies simmer over portion sizes, “badly cooked” grub and the amount of spice in helpings at G4S- run Brook House Immigratio­n Removal Centre.

An Independen­t Monitoring Board inspection of the facility near Gatwick Airport found guards had been scrambled to quell flare-ups at meals. It added: “The servery is an area open to favouritis­m and victimisat­ion.” But the Board concluded: “Detainees choose in advance from a varied menu. A big effort goes into reflecting diversity.” A source said: “Some can’t get enough spicy food while others prefer it pretty bland so when it’s one or the other the kitchen gets a load of complaints.”

Detainees have the chance to cook some meals themselves in a “cultural kitchen”.

 ??  ?? HEATED: Brook House
HEATED: Brook House

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