No prospect of asylum seeker barge in Poole Harbour, says MP

The Conservative backbench MP said the plans for a large vessel at Portland as a “temporary” solution made sense.

Fellow Dorset MP Richard Drax and Dorset Council expressed opposition to the government’s decision, which will see the barge Bibby Stockholm in the port for at least 18 months.

It will accommodate around 500 single adult males while their claims for asylum are processed.

South Dorset MP Mr Drax, whose constituency covers Portland, has threatened legal action.

Immigration minister Robert Jenrick said use of the barge and airfields to house asylum seekers was part of an effort to move away from using hotels at high expense to the taxpayer.

Sir Robert said he could understand Mr Drax’s concerns, adding: “I have a feeling in Poole we are all rather glad it is there and not here.”

Poole MP Sir Robert Syms (Image: Richard Crease)

He described the barge as appearing “quite comfortable”, drawing comparisons with houseboats that people stay on for leisure in some European cities.

Asked if there had been any suggestion of a similar vessel coming to Poole Harbour, Sir Robert said: “Nobody has raised the prospect with me of something coming into Poole Harbour – nothing at all.

“The point about Portland is that it is next to where the prison is and there are facilities, like medical services if they are needed.

“I think it would be rather difficult to do that in Poole Harbour. I don’t see any likelihood of that happening.”

The Bibby Stockholm (Image: PA/Bibby Marine Ltd)

Sir Robert said data reported by the national publication The Spectator showed there had been a large reduction in migrants coming from Albania since a deportation deal was agreed upon between the UK and the Balkan nation.

He said the government should look to reach more of these agreements with other countries.

“It is a very live political issue and I think putting people in temporary accommodation on airfields and barges makes sense,” Sir Robert said.

“We have to process people and do it in a way the public finds acceptable.”