A SCOTTISH council has called for an "urgent meeting" with the UK Government after asylum seekers were moved to student accommodation.
A group of asylum seekers in Aberdeen were moved to the empty buildings on the city's Don Street and Farmers Hall following a spate of anti-migrant protests outside hotels across Scotland.
Aberdeen City Council has criticised the decision and has urged the Home Office to reconsider the move, STV News reports.
In an open letter, which was signed by Aberdeen City Council co-leaders Christian Allard and Iain Yuill, the pair requested a meeting with newly-appointed Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to discuss "significant concerns".
The local authority said it believes the lack of consultation regarding the move has "increased risks to communities, students and asylum seekers".
The council leaders said they want to discuss the "rationale" behind the move, whether impact assessments were carried out and flexibility in funding to respond to challenges.
It comes after two men, aged 26 and 40, were charged with a hate crime following a protest outside the student accommodation on September 11.
LibDem co-leader Ian Yuill said: “The Home Office is responsible for providing accommodation for asylum seekers. It has failed, though, to engage with local residents and community representatives about this before new accommodation sites become active.”
SNP co-leader Christian Allard added: “Aberdeen has a great tradition of welcoming people fleeing war and persecution.
“Following the recent protests in the city, residents, students, our own staff, and asylum seekers are not feeling safe. The Home Office and Mears Group must reconsider before moving asylum seekers from one site to another.”
Several anti-immigration demonstrations have taken place outside hotels believed to be housing asylum seekers in Aberdeen in recent months.
The council previously condemned the "false claims and harmful rhetoric" being displayed at protests outside the hotels, urging protesters to "respect the rights" of those living inside.
Five men were previously charged with allegedly inciting racial hatred following a demonstration on August 2.
