Migrant crisis is set to last at least another FIVE YEARS, government memo warns – amid row over ‘three-day delay’ between Legionella bug being found on Bibby Stockholm and evacuation

•  All 39 asylum seekers on board were evacuated on Friday after the discovery

An internal government memo has delivered a grim warning that the migrant crisis is set to last at least five more years – as the Bibby Stockholm barge plan descends further into chaos.

A leaked assessment suggests that the Home Office intends to use old RAF bases and a prison as accommodation for at least three years – and potentially more than five.

The memo – which raises doubts about Rishi Sunak’s solemn vow to ‘Stop the Boats’ – emerged amid more claims about the response to traces of Legionella being found on board the barge.

In a round of interviews this morning, Health Secretary Steve Barclay insisted that the 39 asylum seekers housed on the vessel in Dorset were evacuated ‘very quickly’ after ministers were informed of the situation on Thursday night.

However, Dorset Council had test results back on Monday, August 7, shortly after the first migrants had arrived on the barge.

The council said it informed the contractors operating the barge the same day. 

Migrants being brought ashore at Dover over the weekend after attempting to cross the Channel

A general view of the deserted Bibby Stockholm immigration barge at Portland Port, on August 12 in Portland, England. The barge’s water supply was found to contain Legionella bacteria

Protestors against the Bibby Stockholm hold signs in Portland, Dorset on August 13, 2023

The local authority added that it ‘verbally’ told a Home Office official about the discovery last Tuesday.

A Dorset Council spokesman said it was the responsibility of the two barge contractors to ‘keep the Home Office informed of such matters’. 

They added: ‘Decisions about who is on board the vessel are the responsibility of the barge operator and the Home Office, based on advice from partners.’

An urgent meeting was held on Thursday and the evacuation of the boat was ordered so the water system could be cleaned out.

Mr Barclay told Sky News: ‘This is a standard thing the council had done. There is no reason to suggest there were concerns. As a precaution the tests were done.

‘As soon as ministers were notified on Thursday night, there were some concerns with that, they took instant action.’

He added: ‘It may be the council notified the Home Office, that is an issue for those in the Home Office to respond to, obviously this is a Home Office lead.

‘My understanding from colleagues in the Home Office is it was notified to Home Office ministers on Thursday and they then took very quick action as a result.’

Mr Barclay said he wanted to see migrants return to the barge because hotels were costing £6million a day. 

‘It is important that we both maintain safety standards but also reflect the pressure on the taxpayer position in terms of that £6million,’ he said.

Mr Barclay insisted no migrants had shown signs of illness from Legionella.

He said: ‘My understanding is that no one has. So there has been no concerns in terms of anyone that has been on the barge and all those people are being subject to health assessments.’

A Home Office spokesman said: ‘The health and welfare of asylum seekers remains of the utmost priority. 

All asylum seekers accommodated on the Bibby Stockholm have been disembarked as a precaution and moved to alternative accommodation.

‘The Home Office and our contractors are following all protocol and advice from Dorset Council’s environmental health team, UK Health Security Agency and Dorset NHS who we are working closely with.’

Asylum seekers board a coach on Friday as they are taken off the Bibby Stockholm barge at Portland Port in Dorset after Legionella bacteria had been found on board

The Bibby Stockholm is a 222 bedroom, three-storey vessel, which can house up to 506 people

Ministers are hoping to house more asylum seekers in barges, offices and student accommodation blocks.

Up to ten unused student accommodation and former office blocks have been identified as potential sites.

The memo, seen by the Telegraph and dated March 24 this year, lays out how four accommodation sites can be better ‘value for money’ than hotels.

Sites at Bexhill and Wethersfield are described as providing value for money ‘across the five years planned for the sites (Bexhill would potential be used for longer)’.

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