Political row erupts in Gosport between the Conservatives and Reform over AI claims about immigration centre

A political row has erupted over the use of artificial intelligence to make claims about plans for a new immigration removal centre.

Gosport Conservatives have accused Reform UK Gosport of circulating an AI-generated summary concerning Haslar Immigration Removal Centre.

But Reform group leader Cllr Paul Carter has strongly disputed the accusation.

He insisted that his decision to contact the Home Office followed information from a whistleblower and was “absolutely not based on an AI-generated image”.

The Conservatives said residents had contacted the party after Reform circulated information suggesting the Haslar development could eventually expand beyond its planned 600-bed capacity.

They claim a screenshot shared in connection with the issue was a summary generated by Google Gemini, rather than an official Home Office recruitment document.

Conservative council leader Cllr Zoe Huggins contacted the Immigration Detention Director seeking clarification over the plans.

She said a response dated November 5 from the deputy director for immigration detention confirmed the proposed redevelopment would comprise two phases, providing a total planned capacity of around 600 beds, subject to the necessary approvals.

The response, she said, stated there were no plans to increase capacity beyond this and that the Home Office’s planned capacity for Haslar had not changed.

Phase two is yet to receive planning permission.

Cllr Huggins said the dispute raised wider questions about the “responsible use” of artificial intelligence.

She said: “AI can be an incredibly useful tool for research, understanding complex information, supporting decision-making or graphics. However, it cannot replace critical thinking, professional judgement, or proper scrutiny or being open and honest.”

She added that elected councillors had a responsibility to return to original documents and check information before presenting it publicly.

Cllr Huggins said she would ask council officers to offer councillors guidance and training on the responsible and ethical use of AI.

However, Cllr Carter rejected the suggestion that AI material was behind his approach to the Home Office.

He said: “Following concerns raised by a whistleblower, and absolutely not based on an AI-generated image, I wrote to the Home Office regarding recruitment materials for Haslar IRC.

“They have since confirmed there are currently no further expansion plans.”

Cllr Carter said Reform would continue scrutinising developments and raising concerns brought to it by residents, members of the public and whistleblowers.

He added: “I am surprised the Gosport Conservatives refuse to do the same; had they challenged this robustly years ago, we wouldn’t face the current scale of development which the former Conservative government recommissioned against residents’ wishes.”