Christmas end to child detention

The government will press ahead with plans to end the detention of children in immigration cases before Christmas, Theresa May has confirmed.

The Home Secretary insisted the government remained committed to act on the issue and an announcement would be made before the Commons Christmas recess begins on 21 December.

But Labour former minister Alun Michael said Mrs May had been "vague" on whether children would still be held in detention centres this Christmas.

Mrs May said: "The coalition government retains its commitment to end the detention of children for immigration purposes."