An officer at an immigration centre has been sacked after claims he got a detainee pregnant.
The Serco employee, who worked at Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre in Clapham, was dismissed on July 8.
A spokesman for the firm, which has managed and operated the centre since April 2007, confirmed the member of staff’s misconduct was in connection with the case of a resident who became pregnant.
In February, Bedfordshire on Sunday revealed that the officer had been suspended pending an internal and professional standards investigation. It is believed the emp - loyee was suspended on full pay from January.
This week a spokesman for Serco confirmed the member of staff had been dismissed and added: “We expect the highest levels of professionalism from our staff at all times, and we do not tolerate misconduct.” He said there was a possibility the former employee may appeal against the dismissal but that they would be replaced.
Over the last four and a half years, a total of nine detention custody officers working at the centre have been dismissed. There are currently 239 Serco staff there.
Yarl’s Wood has been dogged in controversy since it opened in 2001.
On Valentine’s Day in February 2002, half of the building was damaged by fire.
The undamaged half was re-opened in September 2003.
