MP for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire and Wales’ Secretary of State, Simon Hart has said that the two protest marches from Penally to Tenby held by asylum seekers this week have made a ‘mockery’ of Covid regulations.

Concerns were raised in the community over the protest marches organised by asylum seekers who twice within 24 hours descended upon the seaside town centre of Tenby to vent their frustration at the Home Office over what they describe as poor living conditions at the Penally camp that is accommodating them.

The first protest march on Wednesday night saw around 30 of the service users from Penally camp march into Tenby, eventually heading out of the town around 10.30 pm, whilst on Thursday afternoon, the men once again walked from Penally village into Tenby, this time in larger numbers, and carrying banners, whilst chanting “we need freedom...not prison” at times during the march, and once in the town centre.

With Wales currently in tier 4 lockdown, many concerns have been raised by local residents as to why such large protest marches were allowed to take place, with one resident of Tenby who wished to remain anonymous telling the Observer: “I contacted the police and was told that they were aware of what was going on.

“How was this large group of people allowed to leave the camp and walk all the way to Tenby. We’re in a lockdown so I thought the rules were that no mass gatherings were allowed and you are only allowed to meet with one person outdoors.

“There was no social distancing and it was very intimidating to see so many of them walking and chanting!” they added.

MP for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire and Wales’ Secretary of State, Simon Hart commented: “I agree with local residents that this appears to make a mockery of Covid regs which people have worked so hard to observe.

“I have asked the Home Office and Police and Crime Commissioner (for Dyfed-Powys police) for an urgent explanation as to how they plan to ensure that Covid regs are properly and evenly applied,” added Mr. Hart.

When approached for a comment on the protests, a spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys Police stated: “Officers are working with the management team on the site in line with the four E principles of engage, explain, encourage and enforce.

“We take all breaches of Covid regulations seriously and will act accordingly,” they added.Police and Crime Commissioner, Dafydd Llywelyn issued the following statement: “The situation at the Penally Asylum Accommodation Centre is complex and sensitive, and I would like to reassure the local communities of Penally and Tenby, that I am regularly being updated by Dyfed-Powys Police Chief Officers of developments in and around the Centre.“I’m aware that police were in attendance during protests that have taken place this week, and I was pleased to hear that the protests were peaceful with no disorder reported.“These are extremely difficult times for all of us. I have seen first-hand the difficult circumstances encountered by individuals that are residing at the centre and I have met with the Chief Inspector of Asylum and Immigration who gave me assurances about an independent inspection that will take place in the near future.“However, now is not the time to be gathering to hold protests, and I can understand the frustrations of the local communities when observing such activities.“Officers will and have been acting accordingly when Covid-19 regulations are breached, and I’m reassured that the Force have been liaising with the site management team to educate them of the Force’s four E principles’ approach – engage, explain, encourage and enforce.“I am also pushing for additional funding from the Home Office to support local resources that have been put under pressure as a result of the decision to utilise the camp as an asylum centre. “In the meantime, we remain in regular contact with local partners and service providers, monitoring all situations around the facility,” he added.Following Thursday’s protest march which saw asylum seekers march along Marsh Road, up St John’s Hill, along The Norton into High Street and Tudor Square, before heading along the South Parade and eventually gathering again outside the multi-storey car park, the Mayor of Tenby, Clr. Sam Skyrme-Blackhall said: “Obviously concerns have been raised about recent protests in Tenby.

“With the current Covid-19 situation now is not the time for protests whatever your opinion.

“Issues relating to Penally camp and the housing of asylum seekers is well outside the jurisdiction of Tenby Town Town Council.

“We have previously stated that we do not believe it is the best place for them to be located and have supported Penally Community Council in expressing their view.

“Given the current circumstances with lockdown it is inappropriate to have protests where people don’t observe social distancing and we would ask that this is not repeated.

“The situation relating to Penally Camp is a matter for the Home Office to resolve and we hope they do it swiftly,” she added.

County councillor for Penally, Jon Preston remarked: “Wednesday night’s walk out will have no doubt raised local anxieties, but despite a wealth of evidence to support the case for the camp to be closed and for the service users to be accommodated within any of the designated UK support areas, the Home Office have chosen not to act.

“It is becoming increasingly evident that the Home Office do not have a robust legal case for the repurposing of Penally camp.

“The Welsh Government Counsel General has himself stated that the legal basis on which the Home Office has acted remains unclear. A planning application involving a public consultation remains to be submitted, giving rise to additional concerns over how the Home Office may proceed,” he continued.

“Immigration is not devolved to Welsh Government, so it remains a matter for Westminster Government to address.

“Given that our local MP Simon Hart as Secretary of State for Wales has been largely disregarded by the Home Office, it begs the question, who is representing our community at Westminster?

“Due to the whole process being circumvent of any meaningful consultation or representation, it is my intention to seek support for a public enquiry,” added Clr. Preston.

Welsh Liberal Democrats have also criticised what they describe as a ‘woeful’ response this week from the Home Office to a Parliamentary Question from Wendy Chamberlain MP who had asked about what plans there were to relocate the asylum seekers at Penally Camp to alternative accommodation.

In response the Home Office Minister, Chris Philp MP, said that a rapid review had recommended that the Home Office conducts a ‘deep dive’ on its approach to initial accommodation during the coronavirus pandemic.

Alistair Cameron, Welsh Liberal Democrat Candidate for Carmarthen West and South Pembrokeshire said: “Mr. Philp needs to speak in plain English and say exactly what he means by a ‘deep dive’. The Asylum Seekers are staying in the middle of Winter in army barracks which are unsuitable as long term accommodation. They are sleeping 6 to a room and run the risk of being infected with coronavirus.

“Rather than speaking in jargon, Mr. Philp and his colleagues need to take urgent action and move the asylum seekers to safer, warmer and cleaner accommodation which any of us would expect if we were in similar circumstances.”

Wendy Chamberlain has now asked the Home Secretary “to make a statement on timescales for the relocation of asylum seekers at Penally Camp; and what assessment she has made of the safety of the Penally Camp.”

Welsh Liberal Democrats are also demanding information about what arrangements have been made for the asylum seekers to receive primary health care (including a doctor) and mental health support as well as what action has been taken to speed up the processing of asylum seekers.

According to the Refugee Council, at the end of September 2020, 60,548 people were waiting for an outcome on their initial claim for asylum. Of these, 46,108 (76 per cent) have been waiting for more than 6 months, up from 26,125 this time last year.