More criticism has been aimed at Sefton Council following confusion over plans to house asylum seekers at Pontins in Southport.
The ECHO has previously reported on plans to house 3,000 asylum seekers at Pontins in Ainsdale, with Sefton Council claiming the government had indicated it would not be taking the plans any further. However, Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick has claimed a decision on whether to block the use of Pontins as a site for asylum seekers rests with Sefton Council.
Southport MP Damien Moore called on Sefton Council to "publicly state as soon as possible" that it is axing the Pontins asylum seekers plan. The Tory MP added: "I have done all I can to oppose these plans in Westminster, and I urge the council to use this clarity I have today achieved in parliament to immediately state that they will not proceed with housing asylum seekers at Pontins.
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"I have written to the council to ask that they immediately and publicly confirm their position on this matter, both to the Home Office and to our town. People are understandably worried, and it is not right that the council keep them waiting any longer."
Following the initial criticism, Sefton Council leader Ian Maher labelled Damien Moore's comments as "misleading" and said: "We raised a number of issues with the Home Office which included expressing concerns about the additional pressure the site would place on our social services which, as a result of over a decade of Government underfunding and the effects of the COVID pandemic, are already under extreme pressure.
"We were informed some days ago by the Home Office that it had abandoned its plans for Southport Pontins. However, we are still awaiting confirmation in writing of this decision."
On Facebook, Damien Moore posted on Friday, February 17: "I am deeply disappointed that no substantive response has yet been received from Sefton Council to my letter on 6th February, in which I asked them to publicly rule out allowing Pontins to be used as asylum accommodation for 3,000 people.
"In response to my question in Parliament of the same day, the Minister for Immigration made abundantly clear that it was Sefton Council who have the final sign-off on this matter, and that if they were to reject the proposal it would not go ahead.
"Southport residents, especially those in Ainsdale village, deserve clarity on this matter. I once again call on the Labour leadership of Sefton Council to confirm publicly today that they will not allow this proposal to go ahead."
When approached for comment, the council confirmed it is still yet to receive a response from the Home Office regarding the decision to house asylum seekers at the resort and maintains the council was informed the Home Office has abandoned the plans.
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