UK immigration minister orders removal of cartoon murals at children asylum seeker center

Murals of cartoon characters welcome children at Kent Intake Unit in Dover. (HM Inspectorate of Prisons)
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  • Staff at the center were reportedly 鈥渉orrified鈥� by Jenrick鈥檚 directive
  • Jenrick ordered the removal because he thought the murals were too welcoming

LONDON: Murals of cartoon characters intended to welcome children at Dover asylum seeker reception center were on Tuesday removed by order of British Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick, the BBC reported.

Jenrick directed that the murals, including Mickey Mouse, Tom and Jerry, and Baloo from 鈥淭he Jungle Book,鈥� be painted over because he thought they were too welcoming, which sent the wrong message.

Confirming the removal, a spokesperson told the BBC: 鈥淲e do all we can to ensure children are safe, secure, and supported as we urgently seek placements with a local authority.

鈥淎ll children receive a welfare interview on their arrival at accommodation, which includes questions designed to identify potential indicators of trafficking or safeguarding issues. Our priority is to stop the boats and disrupt the people smugglers.鈥�

The move was slammed by Labour鈥檚 shadow immigration minister, Stephen Kinnock, who said the idea that removing the murals would 鈥渟omehow stop the boats, is utterly absurd.鈥�

Kinnock told the BBC that the decision reflected a 鈥渃haotic government in crisis, whose failing approach means all they have left is tough talk and cruel and callous policies.鈥�

He pointed out that Labour had a plan to 鈥渆nd the dangerous crossings, defeat the criminal smuggler gangs, and end hotel use by clearing the asylum backlog.鈥�

The i newspaper, which broke the story first, quoted sources saying staff at the center were 鈥渉orrified鈥� by Jenrick鈥檚 directive and refused to carry out the work.

According to the Home Office, the Kent Intake Unit was established in November 2022 to care for unaccompanied child migrants. Facilities included softer interview rooms and an outdoor area. There were also prayer rooms, a larger reception area, and enhanced security measures to safeguard children, the Home Office added.

A report issued in June by His Majesty鈥檚 Inspectorate of Prisons following visits to the KIU and the surrounding processing centers found that facilities had improved since earlier inspections.

However, there are ongoing issues, including medical isolation procedures at the unit. According to the report, 鈥渋nspectors found no examples of notable positive practice during this inspection鈥� at the KIU.

The Home Office noted that it had acted in response to several of the recommendations, the BBC reported.