More than 70 asylum seekers moved into former student accommodation over the weekend have already been bussed out as the building amid disputedclaims by an MP that it was deemed "unsafe", .

Craig Mackinlay, who represents South Thanet, says he had been told the site in Broadstairs failed to meet fire regulations.

It comes after the MP and Thanet District Council expressed their dismay at the Home Office's decision to use the "completely inappropriate" building on Canterbury Christ Church University's former Thanet campus.

Mr Mackinlay tweeted today: "Important update #Broadstairs. I am given to understand that @kentfirerescue refused to certify the old Christ Church Uni block as safe for #Migrant accommodation.

"All 77 who arrived over the weekend have been moved by coach out of the area.

"This location was never appropriate."

However, Kent Fire and Rescue said that it had not carried out any checks, had made no visits and made no recommndations. In a statement, Mark Woodward, Kent Fire and Rescue Service’s (KFRS) Assistant Director for Customer and Building Safety, said: “Our building fire safety team has made contact with the site operator for the building but no visits have yet been carried out and no recommendations have been issued.”

Speaking yesterday, Mr Mackinlay said he was unhappy about the failure of the Home Office to let him or Thanet council know about its plans.

He told KentOnline: "It's near to quite a number of primary and senior schools. It's pretty much slap bang in the middle of a residential area. And it's causing an awful lot of upset.

"I’ve had a number of emails this morning from people very, very unhappy about it.”

The Home Office had issued a statement saying: “We engage with local authorities as early as possible whenever sites are used for asylum accommodation and work to ensure arrangements are safe for hotel residents and local people.

"We continue to ensure the accommodation provided is safe, secure, leaves no one destitute and is appropriate for an individual’s needs.”

Kent Fire and Rescue and the Home Office have been approached for comment.