Conservative MP Richard Drax has criticised the UK Home Office's plans to house over 500 asylum seekers on a barge, calling it a "quasi-prison" and arguing that he
was not consulted prior to the decision being made.
Drax, who represents South Dorset, claims that opponents are considering legal action against the plans, which involve mooring the Bibby Stockholm barge in Portland. The vessel will reportedly cost £20,000 per day, with the total cost of berthing, security and catering also to be met. The three-storey barge can house up to 506 people in its 222 bedrooms. Photo by David Woolfall, Wikimedia commons.