Get our award-winning daily news email featuring exclusive stories, opinion and expert analysis Sign up

I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice .

It is unfair to suggest that locals were not consulted by the UK Government on plans to house 300 asylum seekers at a barracks in the Highlands, the Scottish Secretary has said.

Douglas Alexander told a Westminster committee the Home Office had consulted the Scottish Government as well as “a range of local organisations” on the plans in advance of them being made public.

Ministers last week announced proposals to house 300 male asylum seekers at Cameron Barracks in Inverness.

It comes as Labour ministers seek to move asylum seekers out of hotels and into what they

See Full Page