Plaid Cymru’s Shadow Minister for Equalities has stated that that Penally Training Camp just outside Tenby would be a ‘perverse setting’ for refugees, following news that the facility is being ‘actively considered’ as a location to house up to 250 people who arrive into the UK seeking asylum,

“A military training camp would be a perverse setting for housing people who may have witnessed first-hand the horrors of conflict and fled out of desperation and fear for their lives,” remarked Plaid’s Leanne Wood.

“The accommodation appears to be wholly inadequate and would inevitably add to the distress of the individuals who may be forced to stay there.

“There appears to have been little or no consultation with the Local Authority about these proposals, meaning that adequate support for these individuals may not be guaranteed if this turns out to be the preferred location.

“Wales has a proud history of welcoming those seeking asylum from some of the most volatile and dangerous regions on earth.

“In meeting its moral duty to protect these individuals, the UK Government should identify sites which are both safe and suitable to house them.

“At present, they seem to be failing on both fronts,” she added.

The Welsh Secretary of State Simon Hart MP confirmed that immigration officials met with Pembrokeshire county council, Welsh government representatives and the chief of Police on Monday to discuss the possibility of Penally Training Camp housing asylum seekers.

A protest against the possibility of Penally Camp housing asylum seekers will take place outside the facility tonight (Tuesday) at 6 pm.