Coronavirus: Syrian asylum seeker dies in hotel assigned by Home Office as part of Covid-19 response

A 30-year-old asylum seeker has died in a hotel he was moved into as part of the Home Office’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The Syrian man, who cannot be named at this stage, was moved from his asylum housing in Glasgow to a hotel in the city, along with dozens of other asylum seekers last month.

Police confirmed that emergency services were called to the hotel just after 1pm on Tuesday following the sudden death of a 30-year-old man, and that the death was currently being treated as “unexplained”.

A friend of his living in the same hotel, who did not wish to be named, told The Independent the man had been suffering from mental health problems that had rapidly deteriorated since they were moved to the facility, and that he had been unable to get the help he needed.

Hundreds of asylum seekers in Scotland have been transferred from their shared houses into hotels since the pandemic started by Mears, a company contracted by the government to manage asylum housing, under the direction of the Home Office, in a move condemned by campaigners.

They have also had their financial support withdrawn, apparently because the hotels provide three meals a day, basic toiletries and a laundry service.

The friend, 31, also a Syrian national, said the man, whom he met five months ago while they were both sleeping in a night shelter, had confided in him about his difficulties dealing with the torture and sexual abuse he experienced while imprisoned in Libya as he tried to reach Europe.

He said the restrictive conditions in the hotel and the difficulty accessing support during the lockdown, despite requesting help from both Mears and the Home office, had pushed his friend over the edge.

“I saw it coming. He was failed too many times. I saw that no one did anything to help him. It got worse and worse. He told Mears and the Home Office, but nothing happened,” he said.

“They left 90 people in one hotel without support. You have to eat whatever they give you. They stopped our money. Since we came here, his condition got much, much worse. It’s been very tough. He was waiting for a final decision on his claim, but the Home Office is pausing everything and no one will explain what will happen.

“I feel so sad that this happened to him. He was 30 years old, he had dreams. We were talking, saying after this we will have work, he will speak English, life will be easier. I think he still had the ability to heal himself, but being in this situation put extra pressure on him.”

Campaign group No Evictions Glasgow, which organised an online vigil for the man on Sunday evening, said in a statement: “We are deeply saddened and utterly outraged by the lack of humanity, dignity, or consideration shown to asylum seekers by Mears, the Home Office, and the UK government. They have failed to comply with basic duties and to treat human life with respect.”

A Mears spokesperson said: “We are deeply sad to confirm the death of an asylum-seeker who had been in Mears supported accommodation. Mears are working with the Home Office to contact the asylum-seeker’s family before disclosing more information. The cause of death has not been determined.”

A Home Office spokesperson said: “We are aware of an incident resulting in an individual sadly losing his life. It would be inappropriate to comment before all of the facts have been established and his family have been notified.”

The spokesperson said the Home Office had put in a range of measures to support asylum seekers who were affected by the coronavirus outbreak and were continuing to monitor the situation closely.