Inverness Cathedral calls for 'compassion' as plans for asylum barracks to be discussed

Inverness Cathedral has called for members of the public to act with “compassion” ahead of councillors discussing plans to move 300 asylum seekers to a former army base.

Concerns have been raised online about the proposals for the Cameron Barracks, with a petition against the plans gaining momentum.

Ministers last week announced proposals to house 300 male asylum seekers at the site in Inverness.

It comes as Labour ministers seek to move asylum seekers out of hotels and into what they deem “more suitable” accommodation.

Social media users have already discussed the prospect of both protests and counter-demonstrations taking place.

Reverend Sarah Murray is urging members of the public to approach the situation with “care and kindness”.

She told STV News: “I think the response we’ve had when we talked about approaching this with compassion, care and kindness, is that yes this is who we are as people from the Highlands.

“This is how we want to be portrayed, and this is how we live our lives. We do that with our neighbours and that neighbour may be someone round the corner or someone on the other side of the world.

“If we are careful, caring and compassionate communities grow and flourish.”

It had been claimed that Highland Council had not been consulted on the plans, but its emerged an invitation to an online meeting had been missed in early October.

Scottish secretary Douglas Alexander said it was unfair to say there had been no dialogue with the relevant authorities.

He told the Scottish Affairs Committee on Wednesday: “I recognise that the legal obligation we have as a UK Government to provide appropriate accommodation to asylum seekers is one that is a matter of significant public sensitivity, but I don’t think it would be fair to suggest that there hasn’t been engagement by Home Office colleagues who lead on this matter for the UK Government with a range of local organisations, including the Scottish Government.”

Fergus Ewing, the Independent MSP for Inverness, said constituents have “real concerns” that the barracks are the “wrong place” for asylum seekers.

The MSP said: “It is not that people are racists.

“Everybody accepts that we have to treat asylum seekers as they are, as human beings in a humane fashion.

“But the barracks are the wrong place, Douglas Alexander and John Swinney should work out together where that place is and start again.”