INVERCLYDE'S MP has urged the UK Government to get a move on and deal with the asylum applications of over 70 men who are living in limbo in a Greenock hotel.

The foreign nationals have been at the Holiday Inn since the summer after it was requisitioned by ministers to deal with a surge in applications.

A support package has been set up to help the men, with the health and social care partnership teaming up with third sector groups offering help.

But concerns were recently expressed about the situation, with claims that that men feel 'abandoned' and that some have been feeling suicidal.

Now Ronnie Cowan has held talks with some of the men in a bid to clarify their status.

He is satisfied that there is sufficient support in place but believes that the asylum seekers have been let down by the immigration system, with little to no progress made on their applications to stay in the UK.

Mr Cowan said: "I met with eleven of the asylum seekers currently resident in the local hotel, along with Pinar Aksu, human rights and advocacy co-ordinator with Maryhill Integration Network, based in Glasgow, and Graham O’Neill, policy manager at Scottish Refugee Council.

"I was disappointed that there was a lack of understanding about the amount and quality of support that Inverclyde Council and local organisations including CVSI and Your Voice have provided and I wanted to set the record straight.

"Staying in a hotel with your food provided may seem like an easy life but we should never underestimate the issues these men are experiencing.

"Their major concern is that many, having been in the UK for over a year, have not started the immigration process yet."

The majority of the men – who say they fled conflict and persecution from countries including Syria, Sudan, Afghanistan, Iran and Yemen - say they have been stuck in limbo with no news about their cases being dealt with.

They are not allowed to work and are still waiting for interviews to start the process.

Mr Cowan says that home secretary Suella Braverman has caused distress by planning 'mass deportations' to Rwanda.

He said: "With the threat of being shipped to Rwanda hanging over their heads it’s not surprising that many of the men are under extreme pressure and their mental health is poor.

"The latest policy statement from the Home Office is that they intend to open up unused holiday camps, military camps and student accommodation to house asylum seekers, but I fear this is avoiding the issue.

"I shall continue to encourage the Home Office to speed up the application process.

"Meanwhile I am assured that Inverclyde is doing its bit to offer a safe environment and will continue to offer help and support in appropriate measures."