Asylum seekers poised to move onto Dorset barge as ‘final checks’ begin

The Bibby Stockholm barge will house asylum seekers Asylum seekers poised to occupy rooms on the Bibby Stockholm barge as the vessel undergoes “final checks”. Transport minister Richard Holden said he cannot precisely say when the migrants will be moved onto the barge and added that the condition of the living quarters needed to be “properly checked out” before anyone was moved on. A source for The Times warned that the vessel, which is in Dorset, could become a “floating Grenfell” – referencing the west London tower that erupted in 2017 killing 72. When asked the barge would be available, Richard Holden told Sky News: “It’s going through its final checks at the moment. It’s right that… whatever accommodation we provide is safe and secure as well. I can’t put a timeframe on it.” He was then pushed on whether it was safety concerns delaying the process, to which he responded: “It’s going through final checks at the moment. With anything you’d want them to be properly checked out.” RAF Scampton is also to house 2000 migrants Later in the interview he added: “The checks are going to take as long as they’re going to take. It’s important we get these things right. “I can’t comment on the ongoing process of checks and things that have to take place but it is my understanding (it is) in its final checks.” The facility, in Portland, will eventually hold around 500 men at any one time. Meanwhile other plans to move 2,000 migrants to RAF Scampton have reportedly been knocked back to October, as delays in the surveys of 14 buildings to be used as accomodation blocks have disrupted the process of moving people onto the site. More migrants are to be moved to Wethersfield in Essex, according to The Times. Wethersfield in Essex is currently hosting asylum seekers SUBSCRIBE Invalid email We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info