Britain’s first floating migrant barge set to be moored off Dorset’s Jurassic coast
THE FIRST giant barge housing illegal migrants is set to be moored off the Jurassic coast in sunny Dorset, The Sun on Sunday can reveal.
Ministers will this week announce they have struck a deal with Portland Port Authority to dock a floating migrant ship in its harbour.
The agreement would be the first of its kind ever signed by the British government.
But No10 is braced for a massive mutiny over its hugely controversial plan.
Local Tory MP Richard Drax said locals are considering “all options” – including a legal challenge – to thwart the plan.
He told The Sun on Sunday: “We are a sensitive seaside town and this is entirely unsuitable.
“We just don’t have the s services. A key worry is that already we have had a problem with migrants and hotels – young people disappearing and sexual assaults. What on earth are we going to have on a boat?”
He added: “We are considering a legal challenge if they go ahead. We are looking at all options to stop this.”
In a statement put out earlier this week, Dorset Council said: “We have serious concerns about the suitability of the location for this facility.
“The council has had limited input and has no decision-making powers on this.”
Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick announced earlier this week that giant barges and ex RAF bases will be used to house illegal immigrants rather than pricey hotels.
The Home Office has been in talks with the port for some time. It is near Weymouth, the hugely popular seaside town.
The Sun on Sunday can reveal ministers are expected to sign the contract for the mooring within days.
However, they still have not bought an actual boat – although it is understood they have “identified one” they are looking at.
It may be several months before the boat is actually bought, docked and houses any migrants.
Despite not having been bought the boat has already been dubbed “HMS Jenrick” – after the Immigration Minister – by government insiders.
The port has previously been home to a floating prison boat – named HMP Weare – which docked there from March 1997 until it closed in 2005.