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Scaffolding and white sheets put up at Home Office centre blocking view of Calais ‘child migrants’ arriving in UK after age row

Workers said that they had been called in for the 'last minute' job

FIFTEEN-foot high scaffolding covered in white sheets has been constructed out the front of a Home Office building after a row over the arrival of 'child migrants' to the UK.

Construction workers were called in for the last minute job, with the scaffolding an attempt to prevent the public from being able to see the new arrivals to the Croydon office.

White sheeting has been pulled up in front of the Home Office building in Croydon
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White sheeting has been pulled up in front of the Home Office building in CroydonCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
Construction workers put up 15ft high scaffolding
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Construction workers put up 15ft high scaffoldingCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
A row over the apparent ages of the migrants arriving in the UK was sparked, with many appearing to be much older than 18
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A row over the apparent ages of the migrants arriving in the UK was sparked, with many appearing to be much older than 18Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Around half a dozen construction workers built the structure on Friday morning with an employee confirming it was a last minute job.

It comes after a furious debate over the arrival of the 'child migrants' to the UK, with many pointing out the males appeared to be much older than 18.

Some of the arrivals were even identified to be as old as 38-years-old by computer ageing systems, with concerns their arrival could mean other children in need are missing out.

A coachload of arriving migrants were shielded from view by the sheets
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A coachload of arriving migrants were shielded from view by the sheetsCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
The Home Office has refused to check migrants' teeth, saying it would be intrusive
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The Home Office has refused to check migrants' teeth, saying it would be intrusiveCredit: PA:Press Association
Some of the migrant children covered their faces as they arrived at in Croydon
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Some of the migrant children covered their faces as they arrived at in CroydonCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

The new structure, built by workers from from Phoenix Scaffolding, reached around the area where all previous coaches from Calais have stopped outside Lunar House, the Home Office building where migrants are interviewed.

One of the labourers, who did not wish to be named said: "All I know is that it was a last minute job.

"We were called up quite early this morning.

"I don't know what is it or who called us."

A Home Office spokesperson told The Sun Online that the screens were temporary, saying: "Our focus is, and will continue to be, transferring eligible children and young people from Calais to the UK before the camp clearance begins.

"We urge everyone, including the media, to respect the privacy of these vulnerable individuals.”

The measures come after the UK's largest fostering charity TACT tweeted a Sun photograph of a 'child migrant', claiming that the male was an adult interpreter with the Home Office.

But the claims have since been denied, forcing the charity to delete their tweet.

TACT falsely claimed that one of the migrants was an employee of the Home Office
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TACT falsely claimed that one of the migrants was an employee of the Home OfficeCredit: TACT
Group of supporters for the migrant children outside of Lunar House home office building, Croydon
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Group of supporters for the migrant children outside of Lunar House home office building, CroydonCredit: SWNS:South West News Service
Supporters have gathered outside the Home Office to welcome the migrants
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Supporters have gathered outside the Home Office to welcome the migrantsCredit: SWNS:South West News Service

The debate over the arrival of the migrants has escalated, with calls for Gary Lineker to be sacked for sharing the tweet posted by TACT.

Calais aid workers have previously admitted they were suspicious that those being let into the UK were not the most needy.

Workers have blasted the procedure as a "shambles", saying proper age checks had not been carried out.

One aid worker said: "It is a complete mess.

"Those at the front of the queue are not the most needy and vulnerable, they are adults pretending to be children."

Calls for migrants to have their teeth checked, one of the most reliable methods of confirming age, have been shut down by The Home Office, who said the checks would be "intrusive".


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