A protest has taken place outside an office block which could be used to house asylum seekers in a stand against the government's Rwanda policy.

The demonstration in Chatham was followed by a vigil in solidarity to mark the drowning of four refugees, just a week after the anniversary of the 32 lives lost in the Channel.

The protest comes after the Home Office successfully resisted a legal challenge by charities and campaign groups, who argued Rwanda was not a safe destination.

A court ruled on Monday the policy was lawful but that the cases of eight individual asylum seekers - who were due to be sent to Rwanda earlier this year - must be reconsidered.

The protest last night was organised by Medway Stand Up to Racism and took place at Anchorage House - an office block in the town centre that has been earmarked by the Home Office as accommodation for people seeking asylum.

Leader of Medway Labour Group, Cllr Vince Maple, attended the demonstration in solidarity with the victims

He said: "I'm pleased to be here, to take that chance to recognise and remember those who have lost their lives, not just in the last few days, but over the last year.

"It was also an opportunity because of where we are in Chatham, to recognize that the Home Office, who are fundamentally failing their basic job, are currently looking at Anchorage House as a potential place to put individuals with very little information at this stage.

"My concern is the building isn't going through its normal planning process, so we have no safeguards as to what the condition of that building is at this time.

He added: "The Home Office has fundamentally failed its basic duty, which is to protect this country and make it a better and safer place for everybody.

"I'm concerned about the here and now. I want to see those who are coming to our shores getting the support they need.

"The Home Office has really got to get a grip with this. They need to do it in a compassionate way, and in a way that understands that people are fleeing war and persecution."

Medway Council is aware of the government department's proposal to use the 11-storey building instead of running up controversial and expensive hotel bills.

Kelly Tolhurst, MP for Rochester and Strood, has said it is a "totally inappropriate location" for the plan.

A Home Office spokesman previously told KentOnline it did not comment on operational arrangements for individual sites.

They added: “The number of people arriving in the UK who require accommodation has reached record levels and has put our asylum system under incredible strain.

“The use of hotels to house asylum seekers is unacceptable – there are currently more than 37,000 asylum seekers in hotels costing the UK taxpayer £5.6 million a day.

“The use of hotels is a temporary solution and we are working hard with local authorities to find appropriate accommodation."