Yarl's Wood closure a sign of Lib Dem influence in Government

Commenting on Deputy Prime Minister and Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg's statement that Yarl's Wood Immigration Removal Centre, where children are detained awaiting deportation, will be closed, Co-Chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Committee for Home Affairs and Justice, Tom Brake said:

"The closure of Yarl's Wood detention centre is a victory for British decency.

"Locking up innocent children for months on end can lead to serious physical and psychological harm. It is a disgrace the Labour Government allowed this to take place in 21st century Britain.

"The Liberal Democrats have had a huge influence in Government and the closure of Yarl's Wood is a sign of that. I am proud to be in a party which will end the cruelty of child detention."

Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions today, Nick Clegg said:

"It was simply a moral outrage that last year the Labour Government imprisoned behind bars 1,000 children who were innocent of any wrongdoing whatsoever.

"This Coalition Government, like so many other things, will once again restore a sense of decency and liberty to the way in which we conduct ourselves.

"I can confirm that the Government will come forward shortly with an announcement about how we will deliver on our pledge to end child detention and to close the Yarl's Wood Detention Centre for good."