Barnardo's defends role in deportations

The children's charity Barnardo's was criticised for agreeing to run support services in a new deportation centre for families with children.

The Coalition announced last year that it would end the detention of children prior to deportation. The existing detention centres are to be replaced with a so-called "pre-departure accommodation" near Crawley, West Sussex.

Barnardo's has agreed to work with border authorities inside the complex, which has led to protests and picketing by campaigners.

Barnardo's defended its decision, saying yesterday: "As a last resort and after consideration by an independent panel, children and families may need to be kept in secure pre-departure accommodation for a very short period of time."