Mickey Mouse murals at an asylum detention centre were painted over because they were not “age appropriate”, Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick has claimed.
Mr Jenrick sparked controversy after allegedly ordering the removal of the murals at the centre in Kent, which depicted characters such as Baloo from The Jungle Book and Mickey Mouse. Initial reports suggested this was because it was deemed “too welcoming”.
But speaking in response to Labour’s Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper, Mr Jenrick on Tuesday claimed in the Commons the “set up” in the centre was altered because most of the children in the centre were teenagers.
Ms Cooper asked: “Can he explain: is it true that he gave orders to the asylum reception centre to paint over children’s cartoons?
“If so, why? Because nobody believes that Mickey Mouse cartoons either encourage or deter boats to arrive, and they simply think that this is the minister actually not showing some common decency to vulnerable children.”
He replied: “We provide very high quality care at all of the centres in which we support unaccompanied children.
“We didn’t think that the set-up in that particular unit was age appropriate because the majority of those individuals who were unaccompanied passing through it last year were teenagers.
“That does not change the fundamentals that we support anyone who comes to this country with decency and compassion.”
The story was first reported by the I newspaper, which reported that staff at the centre were “horrified" by the "cruel order”.
In the Lords on Monday, Home Office Minister Lord Murray told peers that artworks weren’t initially commissioned by the Home Office.
“It’s clearly the correct decision that these facilities have the requisite decoration befitting of their purpose,” he said.
Among those criticising the department’s stance was Tory donor Lord Brownlow, who said he was “quite frankly ashamed” of the minister’s answer.
It comes as MPs debate amendments to the Illegal Migration Bill, which aims to deter people from crossing the Channel by toughening up the rules and conditions around seeking asylum.
Peers in the House of Lords placed some 20 amendments to the bill, the majority of which are expected to be rejected by Tory MPs.
However, ministers have offered to limit detention periods for children and pregnant women in a bid to get the bill passed.
