MPs claim they've been blocked from visiting 'theatre of cruelty' asylum barge

30 October 2023 , 00:01

1082     0

MPs claim they've been blocked from visiting 'theatre of cruelty' asylum barge

Two Labour MPs claim they've been blocked from visiting a controversial asylum barge to see for themselves what conditions are like.

Backbenchers Nadia Whittome and Lloyd Russell-Moyle will on Monday speak to people forced onto the Bibby Stockholm in Dorset, which reportedly costs taxpayers £800 per person each night.

The vessel was evacuated in August after deadly legionella bacteria was found onboard, but the Home Office this month began moving people back onto the 500-capacity vessel.

Ms Whittome said the pair had requested to visit the barge amid fears it could become a "place of punishment".

She said: "We are disappointed that Suella Braverman has not granted our request to visit the barge itself in order to assess living conditions. Visits such as this are crucial to ensure that minimum living standards are scrupulously upheld on the barge, as they clearly have not been in the recent past."

Teachers, civil servants and train drivers walk out in biggest strike in decade

Ms Whittome said many of those living onboard are "clearly refugees" and shouldn't be used as "props in the Government's theatre of cruelty".

Mr Russell-Moyle said: "It is so important that the voices of the people most impacted by the Government's hostile and chaotic asylum system are heard, and that is why we will be meeting asylum seekers on this trip and also local residents who oppose the way the issue has been handled by the Government."

A Home Office spokeswoman said: "We have welcomed visitors to view the Bibby Stockholm including local MPs and councillors, independent bodies and voluntary sector partners. The Bibby Stockholm is a place of residence which is why we limited visits to those who have a direct link to the site.

"All necessary tests including health, fire and water checks have been completed and are all satisfactory."

Last week Labour said that with 50 people onboard the Bibby Stockholm, which costs £41,000 a day, the cost per asylum seeker is over £800. The Home Office described this figure as "inaccurate", but has yet to publish details of the cost to taxpayers.

* Follow Mirror Politics on Snapchat, Tiktok, Twitter and Facebook.

Dave Burke