Bibby Stockholm migrant barge has divided our community and we are targeted and called racists, right-wing and bigoted if we speak out - even though it would be cheaper to put them up in Sandbanks mansions

The Bibby Stockholm migrant barge has divided a coastal community with locals being branded racist if they speak out against it, it has been claimed.

Portland in Dorset was described as a 'happy little island' before the controversial asylum seeker barge was berthed in the historic harbour last year.

Since then locals residents have fallen out with each other over the floating accommodation block and its inhabitants, a public meeting was told.

Martine Sommers added that this was 'closing down intelligent conversation and introducing cancel-culture' on Portland.

One woman told of how people are afraid of speaking out 'for fear of being labelled a racist, right-wing, bigoted, or being targeted and intimidated.'

Her warning came after it emerged the Bibby Stockholm is costing the taxpayer £34.8m for its 18 month stay on the south coast.

Home Office figures released under the Freedom of Information Act state that as of the end of January there were 321 migrants on the 430 capacity vessel.

This means the cost of housing each asylum seeker is over £6,000 per month, making it more than twice as expensive than the rental cost of a three bedroom property on exclusive Sandbanks.

Locals residents have fallen out with each other over the floating accommodation block and its inhabitants, a public meeting was told (pictured: Rival protesters argue in Portland in Dorset about the Bibby Stockholm accommodation barge)

Portland in Dorset (pictured) was described as a 'happy little island' before the controversial asylum seeker barge was berthed in the historic harbour last year

The Bibby Stockholm is costing the taxpayer £34.8m for its 18 month stay on the south coast

Some of the key concerns locals have about the barge centres on asylum seekers being given access to free public transport and NHS dentists and GPs when they struggle.

Kate Robson, of the No to the Barge campaign group, said: 'Mooring the Bibby Stockholm at Portland Port has probably been the most divisive decision ever made within Weymouth and Portland.

Read More

Home Office says it 'does not recognise' claims Bibby Stockholm staff joked 'one less Muslim mouth to feed' after an asylum seeker died on board, after allegations were made in a report produced by campaigners

'Grants were alleged to have been provided to mitigate any impact on community services. Yet, asylum seekers are also being treated in local dentists, urgent care centres and A&E.

'Whilst this is within their right, it is clear, that there is an injustice to council taxpayers struggling to access extremely pressurised services which have suffered catastrophic cutbacks over recent years.

'The indulgent cost of services provided by taxpayers' money to the barge is inexcusable, with the exclusive and mainly empty new barge buses being a stark reminder of disproportionate priorities.'

Ms Sommers said there was a multi-agency forum in place to represent the views of the asylum seekers on the barge yet there was nothing for locals.

She claimed the forum provided an 'almost utopian and one-sided view of the barge' and residents wanted a place where they can air their concerns in an 'adult and civilised manner.'

The Bibby Stockholm, moored off the coast of Portland in Dorset, is the only accommodation barge for migrants commissioned so far by ministers and has faced a series of setbacks

[video_shortcode_video_html_5 src="https://videos.dailymail.co.uk/video/mol/2023/08/07/2005433192613888776/1024x576_MP4_2005433192613888776.mp4" itemprop="image" content="https://videos.dailymail.co.uk/video/mol/2023/08/07/2005433192613888776/1024x576_MP4_2005433192613888776.mp4" data-src="https://videos.dailymail.co.uk/video/mol/2023/08/07/2005433192613888776/1024x576_MP4_2005433192613888776.mp4"]

A view inside the gym onboard the Bibby Stockholm accommodation barge

She told Dorset Council's annual meeting: 'Throughout the past year the Island of Portland and its people have changed irrevocably, almost beyond recognition.

'This was a very happy island, people spoke openly regarding issues or problems that arose.

Read More

Roommate of asylum seeker 'who killed himself' on board Bibby Stockholm says migrants are suffering with poor quality food, cold showers and unreliable Wi-Fi in 'prison-like' conditions

'People are now reticent to discuss the barge openly with one another for fear of being labelled a racist, right-wing, bigoted, or being targeted and intimidated; closing down intelligent conversation and introducing cancel-culture.

She said that while the asylum seekers' needs are met by a 'multi-agency forum' there is nothing for locals.

She said: 'It appears to be forgetting the needs and concerns of the islanders. It feels as though there is full representation for the men but a reluctance to represent the important and real feelings of the islanders* there is no forum to ask questions and obtain answers.'

The barge was due to remain in Portland for 18 months, with the contract ending in January 2025.

But there have been recent job adverts posted for two asylum social workers with a contract of 18 months.

This would suggest the barge could remain in place until at least December 2025.

The barge underwent a refit to add extra accommodation and was supposed to house 506 migrants, all male and aged between 18 and 65, but the maximum figure was later reduced to 431.

The men are free to come and go as they please but because the port is a secure site that has required additional staff and a free hourly bus service was provided to take them out of the port to Portland and Weymouth.

multiple former residents told an inquiry conditions on the barge were like being 'in prison'

An asylum seeker supporters' group said it was inhumane to house men who had fled persecution on a 'floating prison'.

One asylum seeker, Albanian Leonard Farruku, took his own life on the barge in December.

Despite the costs associated with operating the barge appearing in black and white in the National Audit Office report and the Home Office's FOI Act response, a spokesperson for the Home Office said: 'We do not recognise these costs.

'Housing migrants in hotels costs £8 million a day and we are constantly seeking opportunities to reduce that cost for the taxpayer.

'That is why we have acted swiftly to move asylum seekers on to alternative sites, such as the Bibby Stockholm.'