First asylum seekers move on to Bibby Stockholm barge in Portland

  • Watch as the first people board Bibby Stockholm in Portland

The first group of asylum seekers have been moved onto the Bibby Stockholm barge in Portland.

While only a few people are believed to have boarded so far, the barge could reach its capacity of 500 men by the end of the week.

15 people have been moved onto the vessel so far as part of the Government’s bid to cut the cost of hotel bills by finding other accommodation, which also includes former military bases.

It comes after repeated delays in getting people moved onto the vessel, which sparked protests when it arrived in Portland on 18 July.

Firefighters have described the barge as a "potential death trap" and the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) says concerns about safety remain.

Cabinet minister Grant Shapps previously insisted the vessel “certainly won’t be a deathtrap” after the FBU’s warning.

While only a small number of migrants are expected to be housed on the barge at first, Home Office minister Sarah Dines indicated it could increase rapidly to its capacity of around 500 men.

The MOT on the coach believed to be transporting asylum seekers to the barge appears to be overdue, having expired in November 2020. Credit: PA

Pressed on whether all of them could be on board by the end of the week, Ms Dines told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “Yes, quite possibly it will be 500. We are hoping.”

20 asylum seekers did not board the Bibby Stockholm barge on Monday as their transfers were “cancelled” after lawyers challenged the decisions, according to refugee charity Care4Calais.

  • Steve Smith from Care4Calais speaks to ITV News

Chief executive Steve Smith said: “None of the asylum seekers we are supporting have gone to the Bibby Stockholm today as legal representatives have had their transfers cancelled.

“Amongst our clients are people who are disabled, who have survived torture and modern slavery and who have had traumatic experiences at sea. To house any human being in a ‘quasi floating prison’ like the Bibby Stockholm is inhumane.

The facilities on the Bibby Stockholm. Credit: PA

"To try and do so with this group of people is unbelievably cruel. Even just receiving the notices is causing them a great deal of anxiety.

“Human beings should be housed in communities, not barges. The Government could just get on with processing people’s asylum claims, instead, they are playing to a gallery that seems to thrive on human suffering.

"We will continue supporting people to challenge their decision.”

Supporters outside Portland Port in Dorset before the first asylum seekers arrive to board the Bibby Stockholm accommodation barge. Credit: PA

People waved at a coach believed to be carrying asylum seekers as it arrived at Portland Port today, with some holding 'Welcome' and 'Stand Up To Racism' signs.

Others have put together care packages for those due to live on the barge, which include toiletries, pens and notepads and contact numbers for people available to provide advice and friendship.

Heather from Portland Global Friendship Group is one of 20 people to make care packages for the asylum seekers Credit: ITV News

The Government hopes the use of the barge and former military bases to house asylum seekers will reduce the cost of hotel bills.

Meanwhile, other measures being considered to deter people from crossing the English Channel in small boats include the revival of previously-dropped plans to send asylum claimants to Ascension.

The proposals to use the British Overseas Territory are apparently being considered by ministers and officials as a “Plan B” if the Rwanda scheme fails.

  • Rishi Sunak releases video on five things he's doing to 'stop the boats'

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said he would not comment on “speculation” following reports the Government is considering reviving plans to fly people who arrive by unauthorised means 4,000 miles to Ascension Island.

The No 10 official said the Kigali deal remained the “Government’s focus”, adding: “We remain confident we will win the upcoming court case and continue our close partnership with the Rwandan government.”

People carry bags as they board the Bibby Stockholm barge. Credit: PA

Pressed later on the Ascension Island reports, Rishi Sunak’s spokesman said: “I can’t get drawn into discussing specific speculation around different countries or proposals that we may or may not be taking forward.”

Asked whether ministers were in talks with other countries about Rwanda-style deals, the spokesman said: “We are broadly looking, as indeed are other European countries, to expand migration partnerships to other countries.

“But again, I’m not going to get drawn into who they may or may not be.”

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