Bibby Stockholm barge is 'tragedy waiting to happen', campaigners warn

Campaigners have raised concerns over the safety of migrants abord the Bibby Stockholm barge, with some describing the project as a "tragedy waiting to happen".

The barge, which will house 500 asylum seekers, arrived in Portland Port in Dorset on Tuesday. The government says it will be used as a temporary base for migrants as it tries to crack down on English Channel crossings.

One group of protesters stood near the port was rallying about the impact it will have on the area, while another decried the inhumane treatment of the people on board by Rishi Sunak's government.

With outrage running high from across the political spectrum, Conservative MP for West Dorset, Chris Loder, has written to Home Secretary Suella Braverman demanding to see the safety risk assessments carried out for the project.

In his letter, he points out that the Bibby Stockholm was designed for about 250 people, and asked how it was deemed acceptable to carry double its capacity on board.

Read more: Who will be living on the Bibby Stockholm – and what's it like on board the barge?

He said a call with the Marine and Coastguard Agency revealed they have not undertaken safety risk assessments, urging Braverman and Baroness Vere - the minister responsible for the agency - to offer reassurance.

Sharing his letter on social media, refugee and asylum specialist Lou Calvey said: "No risk assessment for the barge. Incomplete safety work. This from a Tory MP is damning.

"They’ve dehumanised Migrants so comprehensively they think they can get away with anything. This is tragedy waiting to happen."

Ann Salter, clinical services manager at Freedom from Torture, said: “Sunak’s heartless and unworkable proposal to cram refugees, including survivors of torture, onto floating barges is cruel and inhumane.

“Having treated hundreds of traumatised people who have fled war and torture, I can state without a doubt that housing this population on barges or disused military sites are totally inappropriate.

Read more: Bibby Stockholm barge: Why some people are so angry about the new 'home' for 500 migrants

"These kinds of sites are reminiscent of the places of detention in which they were tortured, as well as the deadly journeys across water they made to reach safety.

"Every day the survivors we speak to in our therapy rooms describe the horror, isolation, and hopelessness that results from being housed in dangerous accommodation. Packing refugees onto barges is a mental and physical health catastrophe waiting to happen."

Calling on the government to "abandon this plan immediately", Salter said the asylum seekers must be "housed within communities, where they have proper access to medical and social care, and a chance to rebuild their lives".

The barge’s arrival came after a night of drama in which the Tory frontbench saw off changes being sought by peers to the Illegal Migration Bill, including modern slavery protections and child detention limits.

Read more: Protesters clash with police after hotel 'sacks 95 workers to house asylum seekers'

The cessation of the stand-off between the unelected chamber and MPs paves the way for the Bill to receive royal assent.

The reforms are a key part of Sunak’s bid to deter people from making hazardous Channel crossings. They will prevent people from claiming asylum in the UK if they arrive through unauthorised means.

The government also hopes the changes will ensure detained people are promptly removed, either to their home country or a third country such as Rwanda, which is currently the subject of a legal challenge.

Read more: What has happened with the Government’s plans to curb Channel crossings?

Downing Street has defended the use of barges to house migrants, insisting it is a cheaper alternative to housing them in hotels.

The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “It’s undergoing final inspections upon arrival. That’s the last part of the process ahead of the first group of asylum seekers moving into the vessel later this month.”

Watch: What's it like on board the Bibby Stockholm vessel set to house 500 migrants?