Question to the Home Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what assessment has she made of the implications for her Department's policy of Mitie’s response to allegations of racist, misogynistic and xenophobic conduct among Mitie staff.
We expect all suppliers operating on behalf of the Home Office to treat detained individuals with decency and respect, behaving in line with the high standards outlined in the Detention Centre Rules, published operating standards and service delivery contracts.
The Government has made clear that the behaviour displayed by a small number of Mitie Care & Custody staff was utterly unacceptable, and Mitie Care & Custody and the Home Office have responded swiftly and robustly to these allegations.
Mitie Care & Custody have commenced an investigation and have suspended those about whom complaints have been made, pending the investigation outcome. In parallel, the Home Office has commissioned the Home Office Professional Standards Unit to investigate the allegations relating to the behaviour and conduct of Mitie staff.