First migrant to leave Bibby Stockholm barge for coach trip into Dorset reveals he ‘likes it on board’ and enjoyed a breakfast of eggs, cheese and bread as another says his meal ‘was better than hotel food’
The first migrant to leave the Bibby Stockholm for a coach trip into Dorset has revealed he ‘likes it’ and enjoyed a breakfast of eggs, cheese and bread – while a second said his meal was ‘better than hotel food’.
Iranian Amir, 32, was one of 15 asylum seekers bussed onto the accommodation barge in Portland Port on Monday. He said he flew into Britain six months ago – leaving his wife at home – and that the 19 others who also boarded yesterday were mainly fellow Iranians or Afghans.
Amir, who spoke little English, told The Sun: ‘It’s ok, I like it.’ However, a charity worker quickly ushered him away and said he was not allowed to talk to the press.
Meanwhile, a second migrant left the barge yesterday for a brief trip to the beach. Heather Jones, from Stand Up To Racism Dorset, said: ‘He said it was very surreal. He didn’t say what they had for dinner but said the meal was better than the hotel.
‘He said his bedroom is very small, it’s a bunk bed. He has the room to himself at the moment but he doesn’t want to spend much time there, he wants to be out in the community, he’s really keen to meet local Portland people and get involved.
It came as asylum seekers refusing to board the barge were warned they must agree to be housed there or risk having their free accommodation withdrawn.
The transfer of 15 people onto the vessel was ‘cancelled’ on Monday after legal challenges from representatives of Care4Calais claimed the Home Office had not screened them to see if it was suitable to put them there.
Pictures today showed men being escorted on to the Bibby Stockholm barge
People are seen carrying rucksacks and plastic bags as they climb aboard the Bibby Stockholm today
The Bibby Stockholm is seen moored in Portland this morning
More asylum seekers are set to arrive on the barge (pictured) over the course of the day
A bus arrives at Portland Port in Dorset this morning
The charity’s CEO Steve Smith has since revealed that some of the…
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