Bibby Stockholm: Asylum seekers to be returned to migrant barge

Migrants are set to be sent back to the Bibby Stockholm barge off England’s south coast. 

The Home Office says it has begun notifying asylum seekers that they would be moved back to the barge “following the vessel completing all necessary tests”.

In August, 39 men were moved onto the vessel but were later removed when the Legionella bacteria was detected. 

Portland Labour councillor Paul Kimber said “people are being told from today onwards they will be trying to get people on board.

“As you can imagine a lot of the so-called asylum seekers are very, 

very worried about going on board, with the water contamination.”

The controversial three-storey Bibby Stockholm is berthed at the port in Dorset, and is intended to hold 500 men whilst they wait the outcome of their asylum applications. 

The barge is a flagship part of the government’s plan to cut the cost of housing asylum seekers and deter dangerous Channel crossings by migrants.