Home secretary Suella Braverman under microscope amid diptheria outbreak at Manston asylum centre

The cases, as reported by GB News, come after the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) confirmed an increase in instances of the highly contagious disease among asylum seekers arriving in the country.

A man held at Manston died in hospital on November 19 after crossing the Channel seven days earlier. Although initial tests came back negative, a follow-up PCR test indicated ‘diphtheria may be the cause of the illness’, government officials said.

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A post-mortem examination is being carried out to determine the cause of death. The fresh cases were reported along with footage of a large dormitory where those being accommodated sleep close to each other.

Ms Braverman, who is also the Fareham MP, has faced criticism about overcrowding and outbreaks of disease at Manston.

A Home Office spokesman refused to provide a number of new cases of diphtheria at the Kent centre, saying it would not give a ‘running commentary’ on cases.

He said: ‘It is untrue to suggest there is an outbreak on site. Migrants are arriving at Manston with diphtheria. We take both the welfare of those in our care and our wider public health responsibilities extremely seriously.

‘We work closely with the NHS and UKHSA to support individuals affected by infection and limit transmission, as well as ensure information is shared in a timely way and that everyone leaving facilities such as Manston is given access to appropriate treatment.

‘The Home Office provides 24/7 health facilities at Manston as well as having robust contingency plans to deal with health issues such as communicable diseases.’

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Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick said on Monday that asylum seekers with symptoms of diphtheria would be put into isolation in a designated area while being treated. Any asylum seekers who may have the infection but are already in hotels will be told to isolate in their rooms while they are treated.

A total of 161 migrants were intercepted by the UK authorities crossing the English Channel in 14 boats on Thursday, December 1, with one boat arriving in the UK in an ‘uncontrolled landing’, according to Ministry of Defence figures.