Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair reportedly explored the idea of establishing a detention camp on the Isle of Mull to house asylum seekers, according to recently released confidential files from his Labour government.

A Radical Solution

In 2003, Blair, concerned about the increasing number of asylum seekers, sought "radical measures" to address the issue. In a letter, his Chief of Staff Jonathan Powell revealed that the attorney-general's office proposed setting up a camp on the Isle of Mull for detaining asylum seekers. However, Powell expressed doubts about the feasibility of the idea due to opposition from local residents.

Exploring Alternatives

Recognizing the challenges of the proposed detention camp, Blair's government commissioned research on other methods such as tagging and detention to discourage asylum seekers and expedite their return after their appeals had been heard.

The Isle of Mull

The Isle of Mull, the second-largest island in the Inner Hebrides, with a population of approximately 3,000, was considered as a potential location for the camp.

Questioning the Asylum System

The confidential memo summarizing a meeting with senior government officials raised the question of whether an asylum system was necessary at all, given that individuals arriving by sea had already passed through a safe country. This discussion highlighted the complexities surrounding the issue.

Keir Starmer's Opposition

Current Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has expressed strong opposition to Chancellor Rishi Sunak's plan to send asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing and resettlement. Starmer's stance contrasts with Blair's consideration of a similar plan years ago.

Declining Asylum Applications

Another report from the National Archive revealed that asylum applications had decreased in the lead-up to Christmas 2003. Despite this decline, Blair noted that the numbers still fell short of the desired outcome.