The MP for Bicester and Woodstock has asked the Home Secretary to pause and reconsider the planned reopening of a controversial immigration centre in a village near Oxford. 

The new Liberal Democrat MP Calum Miller wrote to the Home Secretary, Yvette Cooper last Friday (July 19) about the planned reopening of the Immigration Removals Centre, Campsfield House in Kidlington. 

Last month Building Southern announced its agreement with the Home Office for proposed works at the Campsfield Centre after being awarded a £70 million contract from the Home Office. 

Both Oxford City Council and Oxfordshire County Council have publicly opposed the plans since it was proposed in 2022. 

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In his letter, Mr Miller highlighted the history of the centre and raised widespread local opposition to it reopening, including from the Labour leader of Oxford City Council.

The MP criticised the Conservative government’s decision to award a contract for building work at the centre on May 31, in the middle of the General Election campaign.

He called on the new Home Secretary to pause work while she considers the best and most humane approach to immigration removals.

Mr Miller said: “I implore the Home Secretary to halt the expansion work at Campsfield House and engage with our community.

"Rather than continuing the failed policies of the previous government, she should take time to ensure any actions taken are in the best interest of local residents, those affected by immigration policies and taxpayers. 

“Spending millions of pounds to expand the capacity to detain immigrants is a symbol of a broken system.

"We must strive for a fair, effective immigration system that treats everyone with dignity and respect.”

Previous protests outside the centre (Image: Bill MacKeith)

There have been significant community protests including from the Keep Campsfield Closed group.

Campaigner Liz Peretz previously told the Oxford Mail in 2022 she was in "floods of tears" on hearing of Home Office plans to reopen Campsfield by 2023. 

The Kidlington immigration detention centre closed its doors in 2018, as part of a government push to reduce the number of people held in immigration detention and community anger. 

A statement from Oxford City Council in 2022 said: "For over 25 years, residents, campaigners and organisations across the city have worked together tirelessly to get the centre closed down.

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"Oxford City Council is unequivocally opposed to the reopening of Campsfield House Immigration Detention Centre and calls on the government to create a fair, humane and compassionate immigration system.

"Oxford City Council will continue to ensure our services do not report people’s immigration status.

"We reaffirm our commitment to support refugees and asylum seekers as a city of sanctuary, and our support for the fantastic organisations across our city doing this work.”

The Oxford Mail has contacted the Home Secretary for comment.