To: Priti Patel, home secretary

Priti Patel’s plan to send refugees to offshore detention centres has come back again as a serious proposal – this time with ‘Priti Camps’ potentially being built in Gibraltar.

The plan is modelled on Australia’s network of offshore camps – widely condemned by human rights groups as at least 12 people have died and many more have suffered abuse.

It is the latest version of government plans that have included a range of possible offshore detention locations, from the remote, volcanic Ascension Island to the use of disused ferries as prison ships.

This plan manages to combine being inhumane and cruel with being unworkable. It must be dropped immediately, this time for good.

Highlighted comments

The refugees are not doing anything wrong and should not be ‘punished’ for seeking refuge. They should be treated with humanity and respect. One day this could be us.

Sheila, Newport

This is inhumane, logistically complicated, not cost effective and a nod back to the dark and shameful days of our colonial past. Not in my name.

Nick, Leicestershire

I grew up in Australia, and I know exactly how this goes. It’s a lot harder to close the camps once they’re opened, which is why they need to be stopped now. Tony Abbott represents everything selfish and xenophobic about Australia, and he needs to be kept away from British politics.

Liam, Leeds

This does not reflect the kind of Britain that I any many others wish to live in. We cannot create situations whereby people have to flee a country that we are bombing and then not accept the inevitable refugee crisis that we have created.

Graham, Brighton

The in-country detention centres are bad enough. God alone knows what these would be like when there is very little way for them to be properly scrutinised or examined at such a distance.

Lyn, Berwickshire