Labour accused of 'sabotaging' Government migrants barges plans

Labour is accused of ‘sabotaging’ the Government’s plans to house migrants on barges after Liverpool port operator rejects Home Office proposal to put asylum seekers on cruise ship

• Home Office plan to house 500 male migrants next to the River Mersey rejected 
• The plan was part of an effort to reduce cost of housing asylum seekers in hotels 
• It comes after a plan to berth barge at London Royal docks was also refused  

Labour was last night accused of sabotaging efforts to solve the small boats crisis after plans to house migrants on a giant cruise ship near Liverpool collapsed.

Port operating firm Peel Ports confirmed it was rejecting a Home Office plan for a vessel housing 500 male asylum seekers next to the River Mersey after fierce opposition from the Labour-led city council, MPs and Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram.

The plan to use a ship at the Wirral Waters regeneration project was part of government efforts to reduce the £6 million-a-day cost of housing asylum seekers in hotels.

The rejection comes just days after permission to berth a barge housing migrants at London’s Royal Docks was also refused amid opposition from London Mayor Sadiq Khan. 

Labour opposition is also mounting against a plan to house migrants on a barge in Tyneside.

Port operating firm Peel Ports confirmed it was rejecting a Home Office plan for a vessel housing 500 male asylum seekers next to the River Mersey after fierce opposition from the Labour-led city council, MPs and Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram. Pictured: An aerial view of the barge being accompanied by tug boats into Falmouth

The rejection comes just days after permission to berth a barge housing migrants at London’s Royal Docks was also refused amid opposition from London Mayor Sadiq Khan

Tory Party deputy chairman Lee Anderson has said Labour is ‘hellbent’ on sabotaging the Government’s plan

Tory Party deputy chairman Lee Anderson said: ‘Labour is hellbent on sabotaging the Government’s legitimate and sensible plan to solve the small boat crisis.

‘The best thing would be if the migrants were sent back the same day but sticking them on barges is a lot better than putting them in four-star hotels on the taxpayer.’

Mick Whitley, Labour MP for Birkenhead, said: ‘Having lobbied both the Government and Peel on this issue extensively, I’m pleased that these plans have been axed.’

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