Barge campaigners renew calls for its closure

Campaigners say they are "stepping up" calls to shut down a barge housing migrants off the Dorset coast.

Stand Up To Racism Dorset is working with Portland Global Friendship Group and Care4Calais to launch a "people's inquiry" at the Houses of Parliament.

The group said it had been a year since the government announced plans to moor the Bibby Stockholm in Portland Port.

The Home Office said the barge was part of plans to reduce the use of expensive hotels to house asylum seekers.

The campaign group is calling for people to contribute evidence to its inquiry which it plans to use to lobby Parliament.

A spokesperson said: "We are inviting MPs, trade unions, care professionals, volunteers, barge staff and the barge residents themselves to submit evidence about their experience of the Bibby Stockholm, and why they believe it should be shut down as refugee accommodation."

The group plans to take the campaign to the Houses of Parliament on 23 April.

The three-storey barge houses people awaiting the outcome of their asylum applications and has capacity for up to 500 men.

The vessel was first used for accommodating asylum seekers in August but was evacuated after Legionella bacteria was found in the water supply, with people returning to it in October.

In December, 27-year-old Leonard Farruku from Albania died on board. The cause of his death was given as neck compression as a result of hanging.

Candy Udwin, joint secretary of Stand Up To Racism Dorset, said: "We remember Leonard Farruku with sadness, who took his own life on the barge in December.

"We believe the barge is inhumane and should be shut down, so we are taking our campaign to Parliament."

A Home Office spokesperson said: "The health and welfare of asylum seekers remains the utmost priority and we work continually to ensure the needs and vulnerabilities of those residing on the vessel are identified and met.

"There are rigorous safeguarding processes in place on the barge. Residents have access to health and social care services, including mental health support.

"If concerns are raised about any aspect of the service delivered, we work with the provider to ensure these are swiftly addressed, and Migrant Help 24/7 is also available every day of the year."

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