Home Office UK immigration contractor racism claims ignored

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Claims have emerged that a Home Office UK immigration contractor failed to investigate racist messages sent by its staff. Mitie, which is contracted by the Home Office to escort and deport immigrants, reportedly failed to investigate allegations of racist WhatsApp messages, first reported by the Sunday Mirror, sent by the firm’s immigration staff.

Among the racist messages were derogatory comments made about Chinese people, while the Syrian refugee crisis was also mocked. Responding to the claims of racist comments made by its staff, Mitie told the Sunday Mirror: “As soon as we were made aware we commenced an investigation, which is ongoing.”

“We have suspended those about whom complaints have been made, pending the investigation outcome,” the Home Office contractor added.

Previously escalated

However, in a separate statement, Mitie told The Guardian: “It has been brought to our attention that an allegation was previously raised but was not escalated in line with internal procedures.”

“This is not acceptable and we are sharing details of our whistleblowing policy with all colleagues and reminding our mangers of their responsibilities to take any such allegations with the utmost seriousness,” the facilities management company added.

The derogatory messages were posted by Mitie staff who were part of a WhatsApp group called ‘escorts meet and greet’. The group contained 120 staff members and was set up in 2019. The group has recently been shut down.

It’s understood that at least eight staff have been suspended following the WhatsApp messaging scandal. One remark posted in the group was a comment posted next to a photo of a Chinese restaurant with a closed sign shortly after the first COVID lockdown in March 2020.

Underneath the photo, one Mitie staff member had written: “Closed due to slanty eyed cunts.” The remark was made in reference to reports that coronavirus had originated in the Chinese city of Wuhan.

Whistleblower

Soon after this remark appeared in the WhatsApp group, a whistleblower raised concerns about the racist post.

Meanwhile, another photo shared in the group showed a group of migrants in a dinghy with the caption “Where Gary Lineker’s house?” – a reference to the Match of the Day presenter hosting a refugee.

In reference to the Syrian refugee crisis, one Mitie staff member posted: “They can only stay if they swim all the way,” to which another member of Mitie staff replied: “What, you mean from Syria?”

However, the rest of this particular post did say that Syrian refugees should be allowed to ‘remain in the UK if they were resorting to such extreme measures to reach British shores’.

Sickening

Shadow UK immigration minister, Stephen Kinnock, described the reports of racism as ‘sickening’ and urged Mitie to launch an immediate investigation. 

Kinnock said: “The Home Office must review this contract without delay as well as its own procedures and strategy.”

Meanwhile, one current Mitie worker who asked to remain anonymous, said: “Things are the worst they’ve ever been with bullying and racism. People are too scared to speak out for fear of facing further bullying or being sacked.”

This is not the first time that Mitie workers have been accused of racism. In a judgement published in June 2021, following a south London employment tribunal, white Mitie workers had reportedly been using the term ‘cotton pickers’ to describe their black colleagues.

However, the claim brought by Mitie worker of Pakistani heritage, Muqaddas Zaib – based on race and disability discrimination – was rejected.

Two witnesses who claimed that the term was used by some staff were found to be ‘credible and honest’  by the tribunal. It is a derogatory reference to black enslaved people in southern US.

Nothing but a cotton picker

One of the witnesses, a black detention custody officer manager called Denise Heslop, told the tribunal that another staff member had said to her: “You’re nothing but a cotton picker.”

Meanwhile, The Guardian, claims to have seen another Islamophobic post from a Mitie worker on a Facebook group. However, this particular post appeared prior to Mitie commencing its contract with the Home Office, but the concern was raised.

In another incident, Janika Frimpong told The Mirror about a recording in which colleagues are heard making racist comments such as: “Black people have a smell about them.” 

Frimpong, who was working as a Mitie receptionist at another company, said she ‘unintentionally’ left her phone recording as she left her desk at work – only to discover that it had recorded an exchange between two fellow workers.

Sources at Mitie said that an investigation into Frimpong’s allegations had now concluded and ‘appropriate action had been taken in line with internal disciplinary procedures’. 

Home Office investigating

A spokesperson for the Home Office confirmed that the department’s professional standards unit is investigating the WhatsApp messages.

“The Home Office is investigating the allegations relating to Mitie staff’s behaviour and conduct. Mitie will update the immigration minister next week on the steps being taken to ensure the highest standards are always met and that individuals in their care are treated with dignity and respect,” the spokesperson said.

Meanwhile, Karen Doyle from the Movement for Justice called for Mitie to be stripped of its Home Office contract.

“The racism in these organisations is institutional, systemic and starts at the top. Mitie can’t be allowed to get away with a cover-up, sack a few escorts and then return to business as usual. Mitie must go,” Doyle said.

A spokesperson for Mitie said: “There is no place for racism, bullying or discrimination in our business and we encourage our colleagues to raise any concerns via our whistleblowing procedures so that we can take appropriate action. We know it can take courage to challenge unacceptable behaviour, and this is something we encourage all of our colleagues to do.”

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