London: Cartoon character murals that were meant to welcome children at the Dover asylum seeker reception centre were taken down on Tuesday by British Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick, according to the BBC.

The murals, which featured Mickey Mouse, Tom and Jerry, and Baloo from "The Jungle Book," were painted over at Jenrick's request because he believed they sent the wrong message by being too hospitable.

A spokesperson confirmed the removal and told the BBC: "We are urgently looking for placements with a local authority while doing everything we can to ensure children are safe, secure, and supported.

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Upon checking into a facility, every child is given a welfare interview that includes questions aimed at spotting potential signs of human trafficking or other protection-related problems. Stopping the boats and disrupting the people smugglers is our top priority.

Stephen Kinnock, the shadow minister for immigration for Labour, criticised the decision, calling the notion that doing so would "somehow stop the boats" "utterly absurd"

According to Kinnock, the decision was made by a "chaotic government in crisis, whose failing approach means all they have left is tough talk and cruel and callous policies." Kinnock made this statement to the BBC.

He emphasised that Labour had a strategy to "end the dangerous crossings, defeat the criminal smuggler gangs, and end hotel use by clearing the asylum backlog."

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According to sources cited by The i newspaper, which broke the story first, staff at the centre were "horrified" by Jenrick's directive and refused to complete the task.

The Kent Intake Unit was created in November 2022, according to the Home Office, to care for unaccompanied minor migrants. Softer interview rooms and a garden were provided as amenities. The Home Office added that there were prayer rooms, a bigger reception area, and improved security measures to protect kids.

Following visits to the KIU and the nearby processing centres, His Majesty's Inspectorate of Prisons published a report in June concluding that facilities had improved since previous inspections.

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However, there are still problems, such as the unit's medical isolation practises. In the report it is stated that "inspectors found no examples of notable positive practise during this inspection" at the KIU.

The BBC reported that the Home Office said it had responded to several of the recommendations.