Migrants may not move back onto Dorset barge for 'weeks'
The immigration minister's been updating MPs on the Bibby Stockholm
Last updated 5th Sep 2023
The immigration minister has suggested it could be weeks before migrants are moved back on board the Bibby Stockholm barge at Portland Port.
Robert Jenrick told MPs asylum seekers would be moved back onto the vessel aas soon as possible', providing safety checks showed no 'cause for concern' and he expects this to take place 'within weeks'.
The first asylum seekers arrived on the Bibby barge last month but were moved off again just days later after tests revealed Legionella - the bacteria which can cause the potentially fatal Legionnaires' disease - was present.
Since then, ministers and officials have been unable to say when migrants would be back on board.
Home Secretary Suella Braverman insisted the giant vessel is safe amid threats of legal action from firefighters.
South Dorset Conservative MP Richard Drax, asked in the Commons on Tuesday (5th September) 'when and if' migrants would return.
Mr Jenrick replied:
"It was very unfortunate that migrants had to be moved off the barge over the summer. We deeply regret that. We did take a very precautionary approach.
"Tests have subsequently been carried out and the definitive answers to those tests will be received very shortly.
"Assuming that they show no signs of Legionella or indeed any other bacteria or cause of concern, then we will move people back onto the boat as soon as possible. I think we can expect that within weeks."
Labour's shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock said:
"The Bibby Stockholm was supposed to be a symbol of the Conservatives cutting asylum costs, but the minister hasn't even mentioned those costs today.
"Instead, it stands alongside the boats and the hotels as a floating symbol of Conservative failure and incompetence, which is costing the taxpayer half a million pounds a month."