ASYLUM SEEKERS DRIVEN TO SUICIDE

Five people in Scots hotels try to take own lives as they shelter from far-right protests

- KARIN GOODWIN

FIVE asylum seekers in Scots hotels have attempted suicide, it has been revealed.

In the latest incident, a man living for months in Erskine's Mutha Glasgow River hotel tried to take his own life.

The hotel has been the focus of protests by far-right groups.

Charity Scottish Refugee Council told a Scottish Parliament committee a "frontline professional" had reported four suicide attempts by asylum seekers at another hotel.

The incidents have involved asylum seekers at hotels provided by Home Office contractor Mears Group.

Charities fear there could be many more incidents going unreported.

They are calling on the Home Office to end the use of hotel rooms and "institutional accommodation" urgently, with people instead housed in communities.

About 1400 asylum seekers are housed in 16 hotels across Scotland including in Greenock, Aberdeen, Dumfries, Falkirk and East Kilbride.

Almost 500 people share bedrooms and many have been in hotels for over a year, some being moved often.