10 October 2023 , 09:48
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Asylum seekers have been told they will be forced back onto a mega-barge that was evacuated after deadly Legionella bacteria was found in the water supply.
The Home Office was forced to empty the controversial Bibby Stockholm in Portland, Dorset, in August - just days after people were moved onto it. A legal challenge has been mounted by the town's mayor, with the High Court being asked for approval to challenge the project.
Letters are being sent to asylum seekers confirming their re-embarkation, although it is understood no date has been given yet. A Home Office spokesperson said: "The Home Office has started to send letters to asylum seekers to confirm the re-embarkation of the Bibby Stockholm and notify them that they will be accommodated on board, following the vessel completing all necessary tests.
"The letters confirm the next steps for asylum seekers and reiterate that all asylum accommodation continues to be offered on a no-choice basis. Delivering alternative accommodation sites, such as the vessel, is more affordable for taxpayers and more manageable for communities, due to healthcare and catering facilities on site, 24/7 security and the purpose-built safe accommodation they provide."
Campaign group the Migrants Rights Network responded: "We are appalled that the Gov is planning to send asylum seekers back onto the Bibby Stockholm. We must continue to call for the Gov to abandon its cruel plans for unsafe asylum accommodation."
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Earlier today Labour's Shadow Immigration Minister, Stephen Kinnock, accused ministers of stirring up anti-immigrant feeling - but said shambolic handling of the asylum system. He said; "My personal view is they're using the whole asylum system as a wedge issue, an opportunity to divide and dehumanise and use it as a way of deflecting from 13 years of abject failure."
Bit he said that by raising the profile of the issue, the Tories have blundered into revealing their incompetence. "The more they focus public attention on this issue the more they expose the incompetence and neglect and arrogance we've seen over the last 13 years."
It comes as Carralyn Parkes, who lives on the Isle of Portland, is set to ask the High Court for approval to challenge the Government department over the barge, arguing the Government requires planning permission. Ms Parkes is the mayor of Portland but intends to bring the challenge in a personal capacity.
A hearing will take place today. The barge is part of Government efforts to provide cheaper alternative housing for migrants waiting for their asylum application to be processed, with former military sites also converted into accommodation.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made stopping boats crossing the Channel one of his top five priorities ahead of a likely general election next year.
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