The man who died on the vessel, moored off Dorset, is thought to have taken his own life.

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The first asylum seekers arrived on board the Bibby Stockholm, in Dorset in August.

Up to 500 men can be housed on the three-storey vessel while they await the outcome of their asylum applications.

It is the first vessel secured under the Government's plans to reduce the cost of asylum accommodation.

Image source, PA Media

Carralyn Parkes challenged the Home Office in August over the barge because she believes it is not complying with planning rules.

Ms Parkes, the Mayor of Portland, who brought the case as a resident of the area where the barge is docked.

But Mr Justice Holgate ruled against Ms Parkes after considering arguments at a High Court hearing.

She raised more than £25,000 via crowdfunding for the costs of the case.

News of the death on board the Bibby Stockholm has drawn criticism from charities who have called for an independent review into the death, an end to the use of such facilities for asylum accommodation and hit out at the conditions on board.

Migrants are not detained and held on board so there is no automatic independent probe into the incident by watchdogs who investigate deaths in custody.

Bibby Stockholm is the flagship of the government's latest plan to "stop the boats" and deter dangerous Channel crossings by migrants. Men aged 18-65 will live on the vessel while they await the outcome of asylum applications.

The 222-room, three-storey barge, chartered by the government for 18 months, arrived at the port in July.

It was previously used to accommodate homeless people and asylum seekers in Germany and the Netherlands.

Locals have been gathering in Bridport, near to where the Bibby Stockholm barge is docked, to pay their respects.

Speaking about the asylum seeker who has died, Caz Dennett, a Dorset resident said this person was "fleeing something scarier than crossing the channel and they've come here and we haven't welcomed them".

Residents from the local community have gathered to voice their views on the asylum seeker's death.

Retired civil engineer Gabriel Hyde told PA News he felt the death was "shocking" because it had been predictable.

He said: "It's terribly sad, we have all known that some of the people are very low and it hasn't come as a surprise, which makes it so shocking to be expecting something like this and for it to happen."

Mr Hyde added: "I have just come here to show my respects to one of my fellow people who has died tragically and unnecessarily.

"I do not want to make political points about it, it's a very sad situation.

"It's a human point, if you put people in miserable circumstances, deliberately, people who are in any case vulnerable, it's going to be no surprise if one of them decides it's all too much."

His wife Wanda Hyde said: "If they were dogs from Romania they would have been homed; we treat dogs better than humans. It's appalling."

Simon Pugh-Jones, a retired teacher, said: "It's a simple thing about caring for people... If we do not care about people, tragedies happen."

Image source, PA Media

PA News

Downing Street said migrants living on the Bibby Stockholm barge had been assessed for signs of emotional trauma.

The prime minister's official spokesman told reporters: "There has been and continues to be support available to those on the Bibby, as it is indeed available [to those] in other forms of accommodation.

"Everyone has a medical assessment, including for emotional trauma.

"They are monitored for further support, any vulnerabilities are recognised and supported - there are trained staff available.

"So, all of that support will continue in light of this tragic incident."

Image source, No 10 Downing Street

The arrival of a floating home for asylum seekers in a small seaside town created anger, fear and division in the local community of Portland in Dorset.

Dan Johnson investigates whether this conflict is down to the barge and the people living aboard it or something else.

Alex Littlewood
BBC West of England reporter

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer was speaking to reporters after making a speech in which he said his party would reduce migration without "the psychodrama", in a direct appeal to Tory voters.

He accused the Conservatives of "fighting like rats in a sack" over the Rwanda bill instead of governing.

The Home Office has responded to the death of an asylum seeker on board the Bibby Stockholm barge

A spokesperson said: “This is a tragic incident, and our thoughts are with everyone affected.

“The welfare of all those in our care is of the utmost importance, and we take our responsibility for their wellbeing incredibly seriously.

“This will now be investigated by the police and coroner. It is right that the facts and circumstances surrounding this death are established.”

Dan Johnson
West of England correspondent

The BBC's Dan Johnson reports from Portland, Dorset.

He describes what the barge was like onboard but highlights some of the concerns people had about the vessel.

The vessel was evacuated in August less than a week after the first men went onboard after Legionella bacteria was found in the water supply.

All 39 were disembarked as a precaution when traces of the bacteria, which can cause Legionnaires disease - a type of pneumonia - were found.

They were then moved to a hotel.

Migrants were returned to the accommodation barge in October amid protests at the port gates.

A message of support has been seen in the streets near the barge.

Residents from the Portland Global Friendship Group say: "So very sad that one of our friends from a distant land has died today. May you rest in peace."

Members of the community group laid flowers in memory of the asylum seeker.

A Plymouth-based charity, which supports refugees and others with sea trauma, has called for all asylum seekers on the Bibby Stockholm to be removed "today."

It added: "The government has blood on their hands."

Police officers have been seen arriving at the barge in Portland.

A statement from Dorset Police said: "Officers are conducting enquiries into the circumstances of the incident. The coroner’s office has been notified of the death."

Image source, Getty Images

Daniel Sandford reports several sources have told the BBC the man who died on the Bibby Stockholm is thought to have taken his own life.

He added that charities say some asylum seekers have found the barge to be "isolating".

Home Secretary James Cleverly told MPs the death would be fully investigated.

He added: "I'm sure that the thoughts of the whole House, like mine, are with those affected."

Mr Cleverly has been addressing MPs in the Commons, where he has been trying to find backing for the government's Rwanda bill, ahead of a key vote in Parliament later.