Oliver Dowden: Safety fears over asylum barge are politically motivated

The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has called for an urgent meeting with the Home Secretary over safety concerns that the vessel is a “potential deathtrap” amid fears of overcrowding and access to fire exits.

However, Oliver Dowden has said he is “confident” that the problems can be addressed and hit out at the union during a broadcast media round on Thursday morning.

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The FBU said it had particular concerns about the initial plan to house 500 migrants on the Bibby Stockholm in Portland, Dorset, which is designed to house around 200 people.

Asked about the FBU’s comments on Radio 4’s Today show, Dowden said: “Of course, we’ll take into account those concerns and that’s exactly what we’re doing.

“I would just gently say the Fire Brigades Union has donated £850,000 to the Labour party since 2010. It is affiliated to the Labour party, and I’m afraid what we see with this is exactly what we saw with trying to pass the legislation earlier this year through parliament.

Food is loaded onto the Bibby Stockholm in Portland, Dorset (Image: PA)

“There are many obstacles.

“We’re confident that we will be able to address all of the concerns.

“I’m absolutely certain about that and I’m absolutely certain we will be able to get people on this vessel in the coming weeks.”

On Wednesday, FBU assistant general secretary Ben Selby wrote to Suella Braverman setting out the “significant challenges” firefighters would have if any incidents broke out on the vessel.

“We are concerned about the risks on a large floating structure used to accommodate asylum seekers in long-term housing and would expect the risk assessment to recommend substantial prevention and control measures to tackle overcrowding, access to fire exits and other safety matters on the vessel,” the letter read.

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“The FBU seeks an urgent meeting with you and your officials to discuss these matters. We have substantial expertise, including from earlier disasters such as the Grenfell Tower fire and the subsequent public inquiry.

“We are concerned above all to prevent another tragedy and to guarantee public safety.”

In response, the Home Office said that the Bibby Stockholm was being “readied for the arrival of the first asylum seekers”.

And on Thursday, Dowden insisted that asylum seekers will be housed on the barge in the “coming weeks” despite delays over safety concerns.

Dowden claimed the barge will house migrants in the 'coming weeks' (Image: PA)

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We have to undertake a number of inspections and other measures to make sure that these vessels, and this vessel in particular, is suitable and ready.

“We are confident that we will be able to address all of these concerns, I’m absolutely certain of that, and I’m absolutely certain we will be able to get people on this vessel in the coming weeks.”

Previously Cabinet minister Grant Shapps has insisted the vessel “certainly won’t be a deathtrap” after the FBU’s warning.