Manston asylum centre not operating legally, concedes minister

A small demonstration takes place outside the asylum processing facility at Manston on 2 November. Photograph: Andy Hall/The Observer

The government has conceded that the asylum processing centre at Manston in Kent is not operating legally, after the immigration minister said legal action had begun on behalf of some of those held there.

The centre is supposed to hold a maximum of 1,600 people, and each for just 24 hours while initial checks are made. However, up to 4,000 have been at the centre, some staying in terrible conditions for weeks.