Illegal immigrants from more than 80 countries have complained about being served food that is too British as they await deportation.

Nearly three quarters of the 575 men housed at one removal centre – half of which have criminal convictions – told inspectors they were not happy with the food.

Rather than traditional prison fare such as shepherd’s pie or fish and chips, the Verne Immigration Removal Centre in Dorset has now been told to serve up ‘more culturally diverse’ dishes in an effort to cater to the huge range of nationalities.

he Verne Immigration Removal Centre in Dorset has now been told to serve up ‘more culturally diverse’ dishes in an effort to cater to the huge range of nationalities.

The HM Chief Inspector of Prisons report published last month also said the English language menu should be printed in a range of dialects.

The report reads: ‘The quality of food was adequate but it lacked cultural diversity – menus were not diverse enough to meet the needs of the population.’

Peter Bone, Tory MP for Wellingborough, last night said: ‘To suggest we should mollycoddle these people who have no right to be here, or have been in prison, is ludicrous.

‘We shouldn’t worry about the food as long as it is healthy and nutritional.’ The report also criticised the former prison for not having a ‘cultural kitchen’ for inmates to cook their own food.

Nearly three quarters of the 575 men housed at the Verne Immigration Removal Centre in Dorset – half of which have criminal convictions – told inspectors they were not happy with the food

No more Shepherd's Pie: The inmates were unhappy about the Britishness of the food served

Jonathan Isaby, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: ‘This is yet another example of box-ticking nonsense at taxpayers’ expense.’

The poll of detainees found that 29 per cent rated the food as ‘good’ or ‘very good’. According to the catering guidelines, detainees at immigration removal centres are entitled to meals that meet ‘cultural’ and ‘diversity’ needs.

After the unannounced inspection in March, the first since it became an immigration removal centre in September 2014, inspectors also found ‘levels of violence were too high’. Inspectors said detainees were treated ‘sensitively and humanely’, but said Verne was ‘too prison-like’.

A Home Office spokesman said: ‘Detention and removal are essential elements of an effective immigration system and we are committed to treating all detainees with dignity and respect.’