Legal action considered over Portland Port migrant plans
South Dorset MP Richard Drax wants to see the idea 'consigned to the bin'
The government's facing legal action over plans to house migrants on a barge in Dorset.
Portland Port has confirmed it's one of the locations being considered by Home Secretary Suella Braverman.
The Bobby Stockholm vessel can accommodate more than 500 people and would reportedly cost taxpayers more than £20,000 a day to run.
South Dorset MP Richard Drax said the barge was being 'dumped on our door' without consultation by the Home Office as he urged Ms Braverman to scrap the idea:
"Every option's being looked at including legal action. We want to get this consigned to the dustbin before anything's signed.
"We want to activate ourselves and say look Home Secretary, sorry, this is not the right place, can you please cancel this."
He raised concerns about the practicality of keeping hundreds of vulnerable individuals in a 'very, very restricted area', placing extra pressure on the port's 'very small' police force.
He also raised concerns about the impact on businesses in Weymouth, adding:
"This is an extremely sensitive area which relies heavily on summer trade, I cannot see how this is going to be anything but detrimental."
Portland Port said details of the scheme were still being finalised.
Chief executive, Bill Reeves, said:
"Portland Port has been selected by the Home Office to provide space for an accommodation facility.
"We are currently liaising with the Home Office about the next steps."
Dorset Council has also raised their objections to the idea, but admits they could be powerless to stop it.
They've said they have 'serious concerns' about the suitability of the location, with no decision-making powers.