Liberal Democrat MP for Orkney & Shetland, Spokesperson for Home Affairs Alistair Carmichael has demanded the government rule out the prospect of children being kept in prison cells.

This follows the government slipping out an announcement of the closure of the Cedars facility, which supports families who are being returned overseas by the Home Office. Ending child detention was a major Liberal Democrat achievement in the coalition government.

The facilities were described as “exceptional” and their closure has also been attacked by Barnardo’s.

The Liberal Democrat Home Affairs spokesperson said:

“Cedars was a civilised way of dealing with some of the most vulnerable young people in our care.

“Ending the detention of children in lock-down institutions was something that the Liberal Democrats forced Theresa May as Home Secretary to do against her will. Now there are no restraints on her, she will indulge the more callous instincts of her party.”