In a significant development, the final asylum seekers housed on the controversial Bibby Stockholm barge have now left the vessel, marking the end of a tumultuous saga that has spanned over a year. The accommodation barge, moored in Portland, Dorset, will soon see its crew depart as well, with the ship expected to leave port for good in early January.
Asylum Claims Processed as Barge Empties
A dedicated Home Office team has been diligently processing the claims of the 400 men who were housed on the Bibby Stockholm. Insiders reveal that a significant majority of these asylum seekers have been granted refugee status, with most now being relocated to accommodation in other parts of the country.
Sources indicate that the men are likely to be resettled in areas such as Cardiff and Wolverhampton. Local authorities have confirmed that none of the asylum seekers will remain in Dorset.
Vessel to Depart in January
With the Bibby Stockholm now empty, the vessel is set to be handed back to its owners, Bibby Marine, on January 8th. On this date, the barge will make its final voyage out of Portland port as its government contract comes to an end.
From the get go, our entire community knew that this barge was an expensive and unworkable gimmick. The previous Conservative government landed us with this wasteful barge, by closing it down we are saving the taxpayer a small fortune.
Lloyd Hatton, Labour MP for South Dorset
Barge Faced Protests and Condemnation
The decision to house asylum seekers on the Bibby Stockholm was met with fierce opposition from the start. Campaign groups staged protests when the first asylum seekers were brought on board in August of last year. There were also grave concerns raised by the Fire Brigades Union, which labeled the barge a “potential deathtrap” due to fears of overcrowding and inadequate fire safety measures.
Tragically, the barge was also the site of a suspected suicide last year. Leonard Farruku, a musician seeking asylum from Albania, is believed to have taken his own life while housed on the vessel.
Labour Government Ends Barge Contract
In a decisive move, the newly elected Labour government announced that it would not extend the contract for the Bibby Stockholm, citing the exorbitant cost of over £20 million per year to keep it in use. This decision forms part of wider asylum reforms that are projected to save £7.7 billion over the next decade.
As the Bibby Stockholm prepares to sail away, it leaves behind a contentious legacy. While its closure has been welcomed by many, the challenges surrounding asylum seeker accommodation and the processing of refugee claims remain pressing issues for the government to address. The hope now is that the end of this troubling chapter will pave the way for a more humane and sustainable approach to supporting those seeking sanctuary on British shores.
