"Home Office contractor investigates claims of staff racism and hate speech", 11 June 2026

One of the government’s key contractors has launched an investigation into allegations of racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia and hate speech among staff working in immigration removal centres, the Guardian has learned.

Whistleblowers from the company, Mitie, have alleged that some staff members working in immigration removal centres and deporting migrants have made offensive comments at work and in social media posts.

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Mitie sources said that while they did not comment on the specifics of investigations, such as the one into the reported racist message broadcast over Manston’s radio system, communications technology has been upgraded to enhance traceability and closely monitor transmissions.

A Mitie spokesperson said: “There is no place for racism or discrimination of any type in our business. We take any allegations of this nature seriously and investigate them thoroughly.”