Protest groups march against Portland asylum seekers barge plan

Protest groups have gathered to oppose plans to house up to 500 asylum seekers in a barge off the Dorset coast.

The Bibby Stockholm is due to arrive in Portland Port in the coming weeks to house men claiming asylum.

Stand up to Racism held a rally and branded the plan "completely inhumane". The No to the Barge group held a separate march.

The barge is part of the Home Office's policy to reduce the £6m daily cost of accommodating claimants.

The 222-room, three-storey vessel has been moved out of dry dock in Falmouth, Cornwall, ahead of its journey to Dorset.

The Home Office has said using such accommodation would be "cheaper and more manageable for communities" and would ease the pressure on the asylum system.

There has been strong opposition amid fears about the impact on services on Portland and concerns about the conditions on board the barge.

More than 80 Stand up to Racism activists, trade unionists and church and community groups gathered at Portland Port and marched to Portland Community Hospital.

Organiser Lynne Hubbard said: "Housing refugees on barges is completely inhumane and has to stop.

"We will continue to protest, but at the same time, welcoming the refugees."

Trade unionist Grafton Straker described the barge as a "prison"

"This country was built on immigration after the Second World War. These people are fleeing from war torn countries - we need to welcome them here," he said.

A separate march organised by the No to the Barge group left from Gateway Pillars shortly afterwards, heading for the port.

Its Facebook page said the government had "not adequately considered the harmful effects on all the services of our treasured seaside communities".

Among the marchers was Sally Moore from Weymouth who said the area does not have the facilities to accommodate the men.

"I've waited a year and a half for my son to get a dentist appointment. We don't have the manpower here - we don't have the police, the ambulances - we're a small place. It's not fair.

"It's not about race and where they come from - it's 500 men in one place - even if they were British men, I still wouldn't be happy."

Both protests passed off peacefully.

The Home Office has said those on board Bibby Stockholm would be "non-detained", with no curfew, although they would have to comply with the port's security standards.

"We are involving the local voluntary sector to organise activities that keep those being accommodated engaged, plus, there will be exercise and communal recreational facilities to support their well-being, alongside transport to and from the port," it said.

Briony Leyland, BBC South reporter

One day, two separate protests and a multitude of banners and opinions.

Stand Up to Racism campaigners went first, chanting that the "prison barge has got to go".

Their call is for "no hate, no fear" with many of those involved already part of the effort to offer services in the community, including English lessons and sports activities.

No to the Barge campaigners were next and were equally vocal, chanting "no consultation, no consent."

One placard read "Wakey wakey Portland!" another "Portland betrayed."

People I spoke to shared their concerns about the potential impact on local services and asked how the 500 asylum seekers would spend their days. They also voiced worries about safety on the streets and the impact on tourism.

The police were also present in significant numbers around both marches, but, despite a noisy moment when the two groups passed, there was no trouble.

The Regal Princess cruise ship cancelled a scheduled stop in Portland on Saturday ahead of the protests.

Princess Cruises said: "The decision was made in the interest of the safety and security of our guests and crew following our security team's consultation with local authorities."

Speaking at a press conference on Thursday, chief executive of Dorset Council, Matt Prosser, said the Bibby Stockholm would arrive in the port within "a couple of weeks" and the first of its male-only asylum seekers would be on board "shortly after that".

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