Today I had a long meeting with Minister Robert Jenrick MP and his Home Office officials regarding Scampton. I repeated by strong opposition to any use of the base to house illegal migrants.

If their plans to do ahead and WLDC court case fails, I asked the Minister to liaise with Scampton Holdings to release as much of the site as possible to allow regeneration to go ahead. Home Office plans should only take up 8 per cent of the site.

I specifically asked for extra funding to ensure policing, health, and West Lindsey District Council do not suffer. Local authorities must not be out of pocket, and policing is necessary for our residents to remain safe.

Ministers assured me my request for proper physical & mental health checks for illegal migrants would be heeded, for our safety and theirs. I also asked for robust fencing & screening around the camp to ensure migrants have safe exit on the A15 and for a shuttle bus to Lincoln.

I requested again an information meeting for all residents of the married quarters at Scampton before the end of July so that their concerns would be answered. I insisted all residents be in the loop, not just serving MOD personnel.

I specifically requested that the Home Office devotes significant extra funding to Lincolnshire Police so that our excellent but stretched police force has the resources it needs to keep everyone in our country safe and secure.

Irrespective of the court case I have asked the Home Office to liaise with West Lindsey District Council & Scampton Holdings Ltd to release as much of the site as possible immediately.

The Home Office will only use eight per cent of 800 acres. We need to get on with the regeneration of the rest ASAP to stop further degeneration of the site and its assets.