FORMER immigration minister Robert Jenrick has been forced to defend his decision to cover up cartoon murals at a processing centre for lone child migrants.

The Tory leadership hopeful was reported to have said the images, which included Mickey Mouse, were too “welcoming” when he served in the role and ordered them to be removed from the facility.

Asked if the reports were true by an audience member at a Conservative Party conference fringe event today, Mr Jenrick instead sought to justify his tough stance on migration.