A BRADFORD man has spoken of the “scandalous” treatment he claims his relatives have faced in a quarantine hotel.

Abu Bashir says his sister-in-law and her nine-month-old daughter arrived in the UK from Bangladesh on June 17, and have been self-isolating in a Radisson Blu quarantine hotel near Heathrow Airport.

Mr Bashir says the hotel is “like a prison”, claiming that adequate food was not provided and neither were towels, and even that there were insects in the room.

But hotel bosses have given a robust defence, saying Radisson Blu takes its role in the hotel quarantine programme "very seriously" to help provide a "safe and comfortable" experience.

Mr Bashir's sister-in-law, who is in the UK for the first time and cannot speak English, is hoping to join family in Bradford with her daughter when they finish isolating.

Many of the issues have since been resolved, Mr Bashir says, but only after he asked Bradford MP Imran Hussain to “write to the hotel” and also contacted media outlets.

Mr Bashir says quarantine hotels must be “properly assessed”, adding that he is still “really worried” for his relatives.

“Imagine you’re cooped up in a room where the food and living conditions are terrible”, he claimed.

“I’ve done all I can to improve the situation, but I’m from this country and I know how things work - what about other families, who are from abroad?

“The room was filthy and dust was getting in their noses. There was no bathtub for the baby, and the bedding wasn’t changed either.

“They weren’t given food, and when they were it was of poor quality. We had to get relatives to come all the way from Southampton to drop some off, and even then, the hotel wouldn’t warm it up - they said they didn’t have a kitchen or a microwave.

“The Government needs to ensure people are living comfortably in these hotels and that basic health and safety standards are met.”

In response, a Radisson Blu spokesperson said: “We can confirm we are in dialogue with the guest on this matter. We take our role in assisting the UK Government with its hotel quarantine programme very seriously, to help provide a safe and comfortable experience for travellers. We work with the Department for Health and Social Care to provide this service based on the parameters set by the Government.

“All guests receive food deliveries and water supplies daily, as per the specifications set by the Government. The services include providing three meals for guests based on set nutritional/dietary standards. A daily children’s menu is provided and baby food can be arranged upon request. From a health and safety perspective, we are unable to reheat food. Based on government protocols, hotel staff are not allowed to enter a guest room whilst a guest is staying. The bedroom and bathroom are equipped with disposable cleaning products and a laundry service is provided if there are items that require washing. All staff at our properties have been trained in the Radisson Hotels Safety Protocols which includes mandatory use of PPE, along with hygiene procedures, as well as regular training.

“We take all feedback from guests on board to help continue to meet the standard of service in our property, whilst complying with the requirements set by the DHSC.”