Barge Asylum Seeker Arrival Delayed at ‘11th hour’ Over Fire Fears

Around 50 illegal immigrants were due to be moved on to the Bibby Stockholm vessel but plans have been postponed by Home Office

The Bibby Stockholm accommodation barge pictured docked in Portland, Dorset on July 21, 2023. PA Media

The arrival of asylum seekers to a barge in Dorset was delayed at the “11th hour” over fire safety concerns, campaigners have said.

According to Stand Up To Racism Dorset, the Home Office had been “intent” on moving 50 migrants onto the Bibby Stockholm on Tuesday, but delayed the plans at the last minute.

The postponement was confirmed by Transport Minister Richard Holden who said the vessel was undergoing “final checks”—refusing to put a timescale on when the refugees would arrive on the Portland Port site.

Speaking to Sky News on Tuesday morning, Mr. Holden said: “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.”

The delay comes after Downing Street addressed reports that the barge was a “floating Grenfell” over claims it had not passed strict fire safety checks.

On Monday, the Times of London reported serious safety concerns surrounding the facility with an unnamed source warning the barge posed the same risks that led to the west London tower block tragedy in 2017.

Asked about the reports, the prime minister’s press secretary said checks, including fire safety, were continuing “to ensure that it complies with all the appropriate regulations.”

According to a spokesperson for Stand Up To Racism Dorset, whose campaigners had planned a welcome event for the migrants, the arrival delay had only been confirmed by the Home Office late on Monday.

“Up until the 11th hour Suella Braverman and the Home Office were intent on moving refugees to the Portland barge tomorrow despite the fact that fire safety concerns had not yet been signed off,” a spokesperson said.

“Their arrival has now been postponed only because of campaigners such as Stand Up to Racism, One Life to Live and Migrants Organise who have publicised what the government were prepared to do.”

Concerned Residents

The group—which is against migrants being housed on barges—said its welcome event had been postponed as a result.

Speaking to broadcasters at the Great British Beer Festival in west London’s Olympia exhibition centre on Tuesday afternoon, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the barge was going through a “series of checks and inspections” to make sure it complies with regulation.

He added: “But let’s take a step back, this is ultimately about fairness. I don’t think it’s fair that British taxpayers are forking out six million quid a day to house illegal migrants in hotels—I want to put an end to that.”

Meanwhile, residents campaigning against asylum seekers being moved into the area have organised a community meeting to address local concerns.

A leaflet posted to homes in the area, seen by The Epoch Times, called on “concerned residents and activists who are willing to stand as councilors or willing to campaign and help others to be elected (sic)” to attend.

It added: “If you believe that the Portland Town councillors are sympathetic to the illegal migrants on the barge, and welcoming them and puting their needs before yours, the Councillors need to be replaced in the May 2024 elections by Independents, who will put the needs of Portland residents before the policies of Westminster (sic).”

The arrival of the 222-bedroom, three-storey vessel—which will eventually house 500 illegal immigrants—sparked concerns amongst some residents about the impact on tourism and services in the area.

A number of protests have taken place at the port where the Bibby Stockholm has been moored by various groups.

Workers at the Bibby Stockholm accommodation barge at Portland Port in Dorset on Aug. 1, 2023. PA Media

Small Boats Record

Tuesday’s asylum seeker delay is the latest to hit the Home Office in as many weeks.

On Thursday, Scampton Parish Council said it was informed by government officials that the imminent arrival of immigrants to Lincolnshire’s RAF Scampton would not be going ahead.

A council spokesperson said Home Office representatives claimed the delay was owing to ongoing building checks and finding “suitably qualified individuals” to oversee and assure gas, water, and electricity connectivity to the site.

The migrants are now expected to arrive in October, with a judicial review into the lawfulness of the migrant housing at the disused military site expected to take place before then.

Meanwhile, the average number of illegal immigrants crossing the English Channel per boat last month was the highest on record, figures show.

Some 3,299 people made the journey in July in 63 boats—an average of around 52 migrants per vessel.

This is the highest average since records began in 2018, according to PA news agency analysis of government data.

The third highest average (47) was reached in October last year when 147 boats carried 6,900 people in a month.

Provisional Home Office figures show 14,732 migrants have arrived in the UK after crossing the Channel so far this year.

But no arrivals have been recorded in nearly a week amid poor weather conditions at sea.

The 2023 total to date is 10 percent lower than the 16,434 recorded from January to July last year.

PA Media contributed to this report.