The Mayor of Portland is planning on launching a legal challenge against the Home Office over the use of the Bibby Stockholm barge to house asylum seekers.
Mayor Carralyn Parkes said she is bringing the challenge because residents were not consulted as they would have had to be if planning permission had been requested.
She also said the 220-bedroom barge, which is set to accommodate up to 500 asylum seekers, is an ‘inhumane way to treat those fleeing from war, conflict or persecution.’
The Home Office argues the use of barges is necessary to reduce the use of expensive hotels to house asylum seekers while their claims are considered.
Mayor Parkes said: ‘I think containing people on the barge is an inhumane way to treat those fleeing from war, conflict or persecution. The people who will be placed on the barge are NOT ILLEGAL because their asylum claims have already started to be processed by the Home Office. These people are asking for our protection, not our cruelty.’
On Monday the first 15 asylum seekers boarded the barge despite the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) raising fire safety concerns.
The Home Office said this week: ‘The vessel will adhere to all relevant health and safety standards, including over fire risk and to suggest otherwise is wrong.’
