Asylum seekers reboard Bibby Stockholm after Legionella evacuation

Published

2 years ago

October 19, 2023

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Asylum seekers have reboarded the Bibby Stockholm barge after they were evacuated when Legionella bacteria was discovered two months ago.

The vessel – docked at Portland Port in Dorset – is part of the government’s plans to deal with illegal migration into the UK. The Home Office says using the ship – with a capacity of more than 500 – is cheaper than using hotels to house people.

When the Bibby Stockholm was evacuated, it was reported that 39 people had been staying on it. That number is now understood to be 21 after the activity today.

Politics latest: Sunak asked if he backs a Gaza ground invasion

At least one coach carrying people arrived at the port complex today, and people carrying suitcases and other bags were seen boarding the ship.

The arrival was met with a small number of protesters, who said the nautical detention was “inhumane” and “like a prison”.

Members of the climate protest group Just Stop Oil also tried to prevent the coach from reaching Bibby Stockholm, with a post on social media showing the group holding orange banners as the vehicle kept driving.

A spokesperson for Dorset Police said “two men were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. A further report was received of criminal damage to a police vehicle and a third man was also arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.”

Some people helped produce “welcome bags” for the arrivals which included shampoo, toothpaste, notebooks and a map of the local area.

It is expected that people will be housed on the Bibby Stockholm for around six to nine months, and it has been berthed there for a period of 18 months. Those who refuse to board the boat risk losing their support from the Home Office.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “From today, we are beginning to move people back on to the Bibby Stockholm in Portland. All necessary tests including health, fire and water checks have been completed, and are all satisfactory.

“The number of people on board will increase gradually with more arrivals in the coming days and months, as part of a carefully structured, phased approach. 

“This is part of the government’s pledge to reduce the use of expensive hotels and bring forward alternative accommodation options which provide a more cost-effective, sustainable and manageable system for the UK taxpayer and local communities.”

They added that everyone being moved onto the barge would get five days’ notice and would get assessed against suitability criteria while also being checked against police and immigration databases. Fingerprints and identities would be taken down as well.

A full system cleanse of the plumbing has been completed, and the vessel had been given the all clear for Legionella bacteria.

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Since the introduction of the government’s Illegal Migration Act, those who arrive in the UK illegally are unable to claim asylum and instead face being deported to countries like Rwanda to have their asylum claims heard.

This hinges on the legality of the Rwanda scheme, which is being decided by the Supreme Court.

Tamworth and Mid Bedfordshire by-elections: Watch our special live programme from MIDNIGHT tonight on Sky News – where we will bring you the results and reaction

Politics

UK, Australia, Germany, Italy and New Zealand condemn Israel’s plan for new operation in Gaza

Published

2 hours ago

August 9, 2025

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UK, Australia, Germany, Italy and New Zealand condemn Israel's plan for new operation in Gaza

The UK and four allies have criticised Israel’s decision to launch a new large-scale military operation in Gaza – warning it will “aggravate the catastrophic humanitarian situation” in the territory.

The foreign ministers of Britain, Australia, Germany, Italy and New Zealand said in a joint statement that the offensive will “endanger the lives of hostages” and “risk violating international humanitarian law”.

It comes a day after Israel’s security cabinet approved an operation to take military control of Gaza City – and concluded a full takeover of the enclave is required to end the conflict.

It marks another escalation in the war in Gaza, sparked by the Hamas attack of 7 October 2023.

In their joint statement, the UK and its allies said they “strongly reject” the decision, adding: “It will endanger the lives of the hostages and further risk the mass displacement of civilians.

“The plans that the government of Israel has announced risk violating international humanitarian law. Any attempts at annexation or of settlement extension violate international law.”

The countries also called for a permanent ceasefire as “the worst-case scenario of famine is unfolding in Gaza”.

It comes as Sky News analysis has found that airdrops of aid are making little difference to Gaza’s hunger crisis, and pose serious risks to the population – with a father-of-two killed by a falling package.

Meanwhile, France, Canada, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and the United Nations all criticised Israel’s plan for a full occupation of Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “expressed his disappointment” with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s in phone call on Friday after Berlin decided it would stop selling arms to Israel.

In a post on X, the Israeli prime minister’s office added: “Instead of supporting Israel’s just war against Hamas, which carried out the most horrific attack against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, Germany is rewarding Hamas terrorism by embargoing arms to Israel.”

US ambassador hits out at Starmer

Earlier on Friday, the US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, criticised Sir Keir Starmer after he said Israel’s decision to “escalate its offensive” in Gaza is “wrong”.

Mr Huckabee wrote on X: “So Israel is expected to surrender to Hamas & feed them even though Israeli hostages are being starved? Did UK surrender to Nazis and drop food to them? Ever heard of Dresden, PM Starmer? That wasn’t food you dropped. If you had been PM then UK would be speaking German!”

In another post around an hour later Mr Huckabee wrote: “How much food has Starmer and the UK sent to Gaza?

“@IsraeliPM has already sent 2 MILLION TONS into Gaza & none of it even getting to hostages.”

Sir Keir has pledged to recognise a Palestinian state in September unless the Israeli government meets a series of conditions towards ending the war in Gaza.

The UK and its allies criticised Israel as US President JD Vance and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy met at Chevening House in Kent on Friday.

Mr Vance described a “disagreement” about how the US and UK could achieve their “common objectives” in the Middle East, and said the Trump administration had “no plans to recognise a Palestinian state”.

He said: “I don’t know what it would mean to really recognise a Palestinian state given the lack of functional government there.”

Mr Vance added: “There’s a lot of common objectives here. There is some, I think, disagreement about how exactly to accomplish those common objectives, but look, it’s a tough situation.”

The UN Security Council will meet on Saturday to discuss the situation in the Middle East.

Ambassador Riyad Mansour, permanent observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, said earlier on Friday that a number of countries would be requesting a meeting of the UN Security Council on Israel’s plans.

Politics

BlackRock launching a SOL ETF in first wave would be ‘messed up’ — Analyst

Published

2 hours ago

August 9, 2025

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<div>BlackRock launching a SOL ETF in first wave would be 'messed up' — Analyst</div>

BlackRock hasn’t filed for a Solana ETF, but ETF analyst James Seyffart says they shouldn’t be allowed to jump in at the last minute after other issuers’ hard work.