THE Home Office is bypassing planning rules to expand the notorious Yarl’s Wood detention centre to hold 200 asylum-seekers while they await decisions on their claims.

Home Secretary Priti Patel is using emergency powers to construct single-occupancy portacabins on land next to the privately run removal centre in Bedfordshire. 

Questions have been raised about the legality of using these powers, with lawyers preparing to challenge the move, the Morning Star understands.