Flags Removed as Debate Deepens Over Housing Asylum Seekers in Scottish Barracks
Flags have become the latest flashpoint in a growing debate over plans to house asylum seekers in military barracks in Inverness. Highland Council has announced that unauthorised flags — both the Union Jack and the Saltire — will be removed from lampposts along Old Perth Road, close to Cameron Barracks. The move comes after the Home Office confirmed its proposal to temporarily house about 300 men at the historic site.
According to Highland Council, the decision is part of its strict “zero-tolerance” approach to any signs, stickers, or banners attached to public property without permission. Officials said they were notified about the flags and will arrange for their immediate removal, reiterating that no political or community message should be displayed in this way. The issue, however, runs much deeper than just flags on lampposts — it’s part of a wider national conversation about how the UK handles asylum accommodation.
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The Home Office’s plan to use military sites, including Cameron Barracks in Inverness and Crowborough Camp in East Sussex, is part of a broader effort to reduce reliance on hotels for housing asylum seekers. The government says this will help cut costs and address public concern about the visible use of hotels in towns and cities. But critics, including Scottish ministers and local councillors, argue that using barracks risks straining local resources and inflaming community tensions.
Scotland’s Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville has written to the UK Home Secretary, raising concerns about the suitability of the Inverness site. She questioned whether Cameron Barracks could adequately meet the needs of asylum seekers and warned that tensions could rise without proper local engagement. Somerville noted that she first learned of the plan back in September but received no formal response to her concerns. She urged the UK government to work collaboratively with Scottish authorities to ensure the approach remains compassionate and practical.
Meanwhile, reactions within Scotland have been mixed. Some residents and local leaders worry about added pressure on health and public services, while others stress the importance of maintaining community cohesion. Refugee charity Care4Calais has also condemned the decision, calling it unsuitable for people fleeing hardship.
As discussions continue, the controversy over flags near Cameron Barracks reflects the tension between symbolism and policy. While the flags themselves are being taken down, the larger debate over how — and where — to house asylum seekers in Britain shows no signs of fading anytime soon.
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