Council looks into housing of asylum seekers at hostel

9:20am Tuesday 19th December 2000

SOUTHWARK Council is investigating the situation in which asylum seekers have been housed in a former pub in Bexley.

Southwark rented out the former Railway Tavern in Slade Green to house up to 27 asylum seekers, all single men, without the knowledge or permission of Bexley Council.

But, following letters from Bexleys social services chief, chief executive and council leader Mike Slaughter to their counterparts in Southwark, the inner-London borough has said it is looking into the situation.

Last week, Bexley Council was poised to serve formal notices on the property company which owns the building, for overcrowding, fire safety problems and management of the property.

Bexley Council says it has no record of any approvals for the former pub to be used as a hostel by Southwark.

It says its primary concern is for the safety of the asylum seekers in an area where the British National Party is actively recruiting members and where there have been a number of attacks on asylum seekers.

A spokesman for Southwark said replies had gone to Bexley from Rod Craig, who is responsible for commissioning and contracting properties for asylum seekers .

She said: He is already investigating with the social services department, environmental health, the owners of the property and the residents. In the meantime no further asylum seekers will move into the property.

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