Migrant workers evicted by Penwith Council were told, 'Sorry, the Housing Department is closed this afternoon'

Twenty-two Polish migrants evicted from premises in Penzance in January in 'Operation Westport,' were told by Penwith's Housing Department that the department was closed on Wednesday afternoons and that there was no help available, sources have told The St Ivean. The source added that on other occasions assistance offered by Penwith was just a list of unaffordable accommodation addresses.

The source, who has close connections with the migrant community in Cornwall, said that some of the properties closed down by Penwith in the past needed to be closed. But the source was shocked at the way in which the operation was carried out.

It is understood that in the past Penwith has suggested that temporary hostel accommodation might be provided for such situations, but so far nothing has come of the idea.

The St Ivean has learned that at a soon to be held meeting of groups charged with the welfare of migrant workers, it will be strongly argued that the methods of any future 'Operation Westports' need to change.

The St Ivean believes that the Council is wrong in its belief that it has no duty in law to house homeless migrant workers from the A8 accession states which include Poland.