Another delay to the Dorset migrant barge
50 asylum seekers were due to board today
Last updated 1st Aug 2023
Asylum seekers won't be moved onto a barge in Dorset today (Tuesday 1 August 2023).
Plans to house the first 50 on the Bibby Stockholm in Portland Port have been put back by the Home Office.
It's the second delay as the first arrivals were due last week.
It's in response to reported fire safety concerns, with Dorset fire chiefs saying they've 'offered suggestions'.
Transport minister Richard Holden said he cannot put a timeframe on when asylum seekers will be housed on the Bibby Stockholm barge in Dorset, but said the vessel is undergoing "final checks".
Asked on Sky News when the barge would be available, he said: "It's going through its final checks at the moment. It's right that... whatever accommodation we provide is safe and secure as well. I can't put a timeframe on it."
Asked if safety concerns are delaying it, Mr Holden said: "It's going through final checks at the moment. With anything you'd want them to be properly checked out."
Asked about there being no timeframe, he said: "The checks are going to take as long as they're going to take. It's important we get these things right."
Asked if it would be delayed as long as the Rwanda policy has taken to implement, he added: "I can't comment on the ongoing process of checks and things that have to take place but it is my understanding (it is) in its final checks."