Martin Daubney has criticised a High Court ruling deeming Government plans to use two former RAF stations to house thousands of asylum seekers lawful.
West Lindsey District Council had challenged the Home Office over the use of land at RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire, saying it should be stopped.
The base, which was used by the Dambusters during World War Two, could house up to 2,000 male asylum seekers.
Speaking to GB News reporter Will Hollis on the matter, Daubney branded the decision a “kick in the teeth” for locals.
Martin Daubney has hit out at plans to use the RAF Scampton base for housing asylum seekers
GB NEWS / PA
Asked whether those in the area view the ruling as a “betrayal”, Hollis said: “The word I’ve heard the most is ‘disappointed’.
“People have had high hopes. Some of the things I’ve been hearing is that ‘this is a done deal, we’re going to win this’.
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“People felt very upbeat, but today they are really disappointed to have lost this stage of the judicial review.”
Wading in on the discussion, GB News presenter Martin Daubney said: “That will be a decision that is a complete kick in the teeth.
“We have been following this story for many months. First Scampton, then Wethersfield, then where next? That’s the danger.”
The Home Office is expected to apply for a Special Development Order to use MDP Wethersfield and RAF Scampton as asylum centres for three years until 2027.
Locals have been protesting the use of the RAF Scampton base
GB NewsLawyers representing councils made complaints about ministers’ use of planning rules. They said ministers could rely on “permitted development rights” because there is no “emergency”.
Lawyers also raised concerns about migrants being housed for longer than an initially envisaged 12 months.
Home Office ministers and Levelling Up, Housing and Communities ministers fought the claims.
“The Secretary of State for the Home Department has statutory responsibility to provide accommodation and other support to asylum seekers and their dependants who would otherwise be destitute,” explained Mrs Justice Thornton, in a written ruling.
“Since the Covid-19 pandemic, the number of asylum seekers requiring accommodation has reached unprecedented levels.”
She added: “As a result of the strains on the asylum system, in January 2023, the Home Office approached the Ministry of Defence and other government departments enquiring about availability of Crown Estate assets which could be made suitable in the short term to assist with accommodating asylum seekers.
“A submission to the minister for immigration, dated January 27 2023, sought a decision to explore the use of RAF Wethersfield and RAF Scampton to accommodate single adult male asylum seekers.”
Braintree Council said it aimed to appeal and was “disappointed”.
