Transport minister says barge in Portland going through ‘final checks’ amid row over safety concerns
A UK government minister has said he “cannot put a timeframe” on when the Home Office will open a controversial giant barge meant to house asylum seekers, which has been further delayed for checks.
The initial plan had been move people on to the Bibby Stockholm in Portland, Dorset, from this week, with numbers due to rise gradually over the coming months to the point where the vessel would eventually holds about 500 men.
