The “shocking” incident at a new Border Force immigration centre in Dover is not being treated as a terrorist incident, Suella Braverman has said.
In the Commons today, Braverman confirmed that the Dover incident is not being treated as an act of terrorism.
Making a statement in the Commons, the Home Secretary said about the incident at Western Jet Foil on Sunday: “Officers established that two to three incendiary devices had been thrown at the Home Office premises.
“The suspect was identified, quickly located at a nearby petrol station and confirmed dead. The Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit attended to ensure there were no further threats. Kent Police are not currently treating this as a terrorist incident.
“Fortunately, there were only two minor injuries. But this is a shocking incident. And my thoughts are with all of those who are affected. I have received regular updates from the police. While I understand the desire for answers, investigators must have the necessary space to work.”
There was a distressing incident in Dover earlier today. I am receiving regular updates on the situation. My thoughts are with those affected, the tireless Home Office staff and police responding. We must now support those officers as they carry out their investigation.
— Suella Braverman MP (@SuellaBraverman) October 30, 2022
The Home Secretary has said the Government has a “duty” to “ensure that anyone who has entered our country illegally undergoes essential security checks”.
Suella Braverman also told MPs: “Several hundred migrants were relocated to Manston yesterday to ensure their safety. Western Jet Foil is now fully operational again.
“I can also inform the House that my right honourable friend, the Minister for Immigration, visited the Manston site yesterday and that I will visit shortly.
“My right honourable friend was reassured by the dedication of staff as they work to make this site safe and secure while suitable onward accommodation is found. As members will be aware, we need to meet our statutory duties around detention and also fulfil legal duties to provide accommodation for those who would otherwise be destitute.
“We also have a duty to the wider public to ensure that anyone who has entered our country illegally undergoes essential security checks and is not immediately free to wander around local communities with no fixed abode.”
Suella Braverman email
This comes after Braverman today sent a letter to the Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee, Dame Diana Johnson.
My letter to the Chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee, Dame Diana Johnson. https://t.co/c5yZHrNpdr
— Suella Braverman MP (@SuellaBraverman) October 31, 2022
In it, the Home Secretary gave a “detailed account about the circumstances” surrounding her resignation.
Braverman previously sent official documents from her government email address to her personal account address six times but insisted there was “no risk to national security”.
A Home Office review identified the incidents after she was forced to resign for breaching the ministerial code by sending a draft government statement to an ally from her personal account.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has faced questions over his decision to reappoint Braverman just days after she quit, but Downing Street insisted he had full confidence in his Home Secretary.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel