Bibby Stockholm migrants protest against 'claim delays'

The three-storey barge has capacity for up to 500 men, aged 18-65

Asylum seekers living on a migrant barge have held a protest to highlight what they have described as lengthy delays in processing their claims.

It is almost a year since the first men were moved on to the Bibby Stockholm, which is moored on Portland in Dorset.

Dozens of local residents also held a vigil outside the port gates in solidarity.

The Home Office, now run under a Labour government, said it wanted to "restore order" to the asylum system.

Some of the migrants have been living on the Bibby Stockholm since August 2023

The demonstration was organised by Portland Global Friendship Group.

Co-ordinator Giovanna Lewis said the asylum seekers were calling on the government to speed up their claims.

"They've been waiting for a long, long time... some of them up to three years."

She said a large number of the migrants had boycotted their breakfast and lunch, and had taken part in a two-hour sit-in at the site's outside compound.

"This week they've been describing the barge as a 'hell-hole', a 'prison' and they just need to get off that barge.

"It's a desperate situation for them. Their mental health is declining horrendously," she added.

A number of Portland residents gathered in solidarity with the migrants

The Bibby Stockholm has faced multiple incidents since it first docked in the Dorset town in July 2023.

Just days after the first migrants boarded in August, they were removed after traces of Legionella bacteria were found in the on-board water system.

The following December, Albanian migrant Leonard Farruku, 27, was found dead in his cabin. It is thought he took his own life.

His roommate, Yusuf Deen Kargbo, previously told BBC News other barge residents might harm themselves if conditions on board did not improve.

He listed problems with poor quality food, cold showers, unreliable wi-fi and concerns not being dealt with.

Dorset Council said the Home Office was responsible for ensuring that facilities on board were provided for the residents of the barge.

A current Home Office spokesperson said: “We are determined to restore order to the asylum system so that it operates swiftly, firmly, and fairly; and ensures the rules are properly enforced.”

Concerns have been raised about the mental health of those on board the barge