Dorset Council to take no legal action over migrant barge
The local authority has confirmed it won't be challenging the Home Office's decision
Last updated 7th Jun 2023
Dorset Council has confirmed it will not launch legal action over the Home Office's decision to site a vessel which can house around 500 migrants in Portland Port.
The council leader and the county's police and crime commissioner (PCC) had voiced concerns about the port's decision to allow the Bibby Stockholm to dock.
But in a statement a council spokesperson said: "After much careful consideration, Dorset Council has decided to not pursue legal action to challenge the Home Office's decision to site a barge for asylum seekers in Portland Port.
"Based on specialist legal advice, and the experience other councils have had across the country, any legal action we take is unlikely to be successful and would incur high costs to Dorset taxpayers.
"We are committed to working with the Home Office and our partners to ensure minimal impact to public services for local people and that provision for the asylum seekers is properly resourced and is effective."
It comes as barges housing asylum seekers will reportedly be moored near Liverpool and Middlesbrough.
Rishi Sunak revealed two more giant vessels will be used for migrant accommodation as he insisted his plan to stop Channel crossings was "starting to work".
According to The Guardian, these are expected to be moored at Teesport in the North East as well as in docks close to Liverpool.
The Home Office refused to comment on the reports, although the Government is expected to confirm which locations will be used in the coming weeks.