The children were being assessed at Dungavel detention centre

The SNP has learned that they had talks while some of the cases were being assessed. The families were held at the Dungavel immigration removal centre.

MSP Christine Grahame said the deportations should have been frozen until the investigation was completed.

The SCRA denied collusion and said the Home Office made such decisions alone.

The six children were deported with their families between September 2003 and January this year despite being assessed by the Reporter to South Lanarkshire Children's Panel at the time.

The primary role of SCRA should be to protect and uphold the welfare of the child, not to enter into cosy discussions with the Home Office Christine Grahame SNP

Some of the children were thought to be at risk from a lack of parental control and at least one was believed to be living with an abusive parent.

Ms Grahame, the South of Scotland Nationalist MSP, said documents the party had obtained under Freedom of Information legislation revealed that high-level talks were taking place between the Home Office and the Children's Reporter Administration during the investigation.

She said Children's Reporters should be entirely independent and is demanding that the Scottish Executive ensures vulnerable children can never be deported while an investigation is being carried out.

"The primary role of SCRA should be to protect and uphold the welfare of the child, and not to enter into cosy discussions with the Home Office about how to handle public disquiet about the issue of imprisoned children," she said.

'Vulnerable children'

"I have today written to Justice Minister Cathy Jamieson asking her to clarify the Scottish Executive's position and ensure proper procedures are put in place to ensure vulnerable children held at Dungavel are never again dealt with in such a despicable way."

Ms Grahame also wants ministers to give assurances that the welfare of the children has been monitored since they were deported.

The executive said it was a matter for the SCRA and the Home Office.

There was no collusion at any time between the SCRA and the Home Office SCRA statement

In a statement, the Home Office said: "The immigration service take very seriously their responsibilities towards children and carries out consultations with other government agencies and social services.

"The welfare of children is of paramount importance in any case where removal is being considered."

The SCRA said: "There was no collusion at any time between the SCRA and the Home Office over the deportation of six children from Dungavel.

"Under the law, the decision to deport children from Dungavel is at the discretion of the Home Office and the Home Office alone."