Warning issued as six migrants found cramped in one bedroom on Bibby Stockholm

02 February 2024 , 10:56

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MPs who visited the Bibby Stockholm have voiced their alarm (Image: NEIL HALL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

"Disheartened" MPs have warned cramped conditions on the Bibby Stockholm asylum barge could amount to a human rights violation.

In a scathing assessment by a cross-party committee, Illegal Migration Minister Michael Tomlinson was told these are "clearly contributing to a decline in mental health" for some residents. It comes just weeks after the death of 27-year-old Leonard Farruku, who is believed to have taken his own life after being in visible distress for several days.

After speaking to people living on the controversial vessel, in Portland, Dorset, MPs said access to medical care was "inconsistent" with "limited" access to mental health support. They said one asylum seeker had said he had suicidal thoughts as a result of moving onto the barge.

Members of the Home Affairs Select Committee said up to six people - who often spoke different languages - are being packed into rooms originally designed for just one.

The visit followed the death of Leonard Farruku, who was living onboard

A letter from the committee to Mr Tomlinson said: "We were disheartened to see some of the living conditions on the Bibby Stockholm, with many individuals having to share small, cramped cabins (originally designed for one person), often with people (up to 6) they do not know (some of whom spoke a different language to them).

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"These crowded conditions were clearly contributing to a decline in mental health for some of the residents, and they could amount to violations of the human rights of asylum seekers."

And it continued: "It is concerning that, in our short visit, many asylum seekers expressed mental health concerns. It was alarming that one asylum seeker told a member of the delegation that they had had thoughts of suicide as a result of having to reside on the barge. Although we were assured that the relevant safeguarding team would work with this particular individual, we are extremely concerned about the apparent lack of mental health support for those on the barge."

Earlier this week Mr Cleverly was quizzed about conditions on the barge by the committee. Former Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott said she'd been told by people on the barge that Mr Farraku had been talking about taking his own life for days before he died.

And he was heard banging on the walls shortly before the tragedy, she said. Dame Diana Johnson, who chairs the committee, said: “The Government must not forget that those seeking asylum could have experienced severe trauma. They are vulnerable young men who will be in need of critical help. There needs to be readily accessible assistance available to deal with the medical and mental health consequences of what they have been through. Support services on the barge must be adequate to meet the needs of those housed there, and if not that there are practical steps in place to allow them to be accessed in the wider community.”

A Home Office spokeswoman said: “The health and welfare of asylum seekers on board the Bibby Stockholm is of the utmost priority, and we constantly work to ensure the needs and vulnerabilities of those residing on the vessel are identified and met. Asylum seekers are screened to identify vulnerable individuals and ensure they are placed in suitable accommodation.

“There are rigorous safeguarding processes in place on the barge. Residents have access to health and social care services, including mental health support. If concerns are raised about any aspect of the service delivered, we work with the provider to ensure these are swiftly addressed, and Migrant Help 24/7 is also available every day of the year.”

Dave Burke