Home Office strands asylum seekers on street after summoning them to ‘phantom’ interviews

Dozens of former Manston detainees responded to surprise early interview letters only to be turned away at reception

Dozens of asylum seekers who were recently moved out of Manston were left stranded outside Home Office centres after being invited to phantom" appointments they were turned away from, the Guardian has learned.

The latest development follows an earlier crisis exactly a month ago when 11 asylum seekers were left in the street close to London's Victoria station after being moved out of Manston, the controversial reception centre for small-boat arrivals in Ramsgate, Kent.