Fears are growing for the welfare of asylum seekers being held on the Bibby Stockholm barge in the South West.
Bibby Stockholm is currently housing asylum seekers on the Dorset coast, and the Home Office has come under fire following the death of a man onboard on Tuesday, who is reported to have taken his own life.
Home Secretary James Cleverly said that the death will be investigated.
The Guardian is reporting poor living conditions for refugees being held on the vessel, which the Home Office rejects, having said the welfare of those living onboard is their “utmost priority”.
Labour MP Diane Abbott has called the barge “inhumane, unworkable and immoral”.
Home Office officials revealed yesterday the cost of the scheme that can hold up to 500 people, but currently holds no more than 300 – £22 million has been spent on the barge at Portland Port in Dorset so far.
Ministers are being urged to close the accommodation vessel, which is costing the taxpayer £41,000 a day.
Contractors Corporate Travel Management have been paid this sum so far for providing accommodation services, but that does not include the payment of £3,500 to Dorset Council for each bed filled.
Refugees living on the large vessel are not detained, and can come and go during the day, but the “cramped” barge is said to have “airport style security” according to the area’s mayor, speaking to Channel 4 News.
Labour Mayor of Portland, Carralyn Parkes, also told the i that those on the barge are living in a “climate of fear”.
In a Facebook post, the Portland Global Friendship Group blasted local Conservative MP Richard Drax for supporting the policy: “But Mr Drax, most of the Bibby residents arrived here by plane (not in dangerous small boats run by illegal traffickers) and many have friends and/or family here – do you not know?”.
In August, Bibby Stockholm was evacuated after an outbreak of legionella, which prompted 39 asylum seekers to write an open letter to the Home Secretary expressing concerns for their wellbeing on the barge.
And in October, the barge came under criticism again as an individual onboard attempted to take his own life.
