The Government’s Linton-on-Ouse migrant camp move has been described as “back of a fag packet policy-making” by an angry campaigner.
Ministers announced plans for the new accommodation and processing centre at a disused North Yorkshire RAF base last month.
The Home Office intends to move 60 asylum seekers into the base by the end of the month, the local council has said.
Dr Olga Matthias, Linton-on-Ouse group spokeswoman
GB News
The Home Office intends to move 60 asylum seekers into the base by the end of the month
Danny Lawson
But the move has been slammed by many, with Hambleton District Council, in which Linton-on-Ouse lies, saying it has asked the Government to pause the controversial proposal “immediately” amid opposition from residents in the village.
And Dr Olga Matthias, Linton-on-Ouse group spokeswoman, has also backed those calls, hitting out at the move to house migrants in the village.
Speaking on GB News, Ms Matthias told Mark Steyn: “Villagers are really nervous about the fact that this decision was made full stop.
“But the fact that nobody in Parliament and nobody in the civil service is owning this decision, indicates that maybe there is a slow dropping of the penny that it might not have been the marvellous decision it was touted as.
“It really is back of fag packet policy-making.
“But going back to our democracy, we have all these checks and balances, we have an opposition party that should question strongly the Government.”
She continued: “By so doing engender robust debate which means that something is actually thrashed out properly.
“We haven’t had a robust opposition party for a very, very long time which means that people in Government believe they can do as they please.
“Luckily for us, we have an MP who is trying to put a stop to that, one of the local councils, North Yorkshire County Council had a vote of no confidence last week in the Home Office.
“Luckily for us Hambleton District Council, which is the council which Linton-on-Ouse lies are taking legal advice and we’re hoping for an announcement any day soon.
“They haven’t done any risk assessment, any diligence.”