In his first comments since people due to be housed on the Bibby Stockholm were removed from the vessel when traces of legionella bacteria were found in the water supply, he argued that the approach was fairer for the taxpayer than putting up asylum seekers in hotels.
However, the prime minister avoided a question about whether he was personally warned about potential health risks for asylum seekers onboard the barge.
"It is right that we go through all the checks and procedures to ensure the wellbeing and health of the people being housed on the barge," he told broadcasters on a visit to a hospital in Milton Keynes yesterday.
Over the weekend, the Home Office was involved in a "blame game" over the response to the legionella outbreak. Briefings have claimed that the local council told two contractors about it last Monday, but ministers were not informed until late last Thursday.
Yesterday, Will Quince, a health minister, suggested people could return to the barge within days, describing the legionella scare as a "teething issue".
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 16, 2023-Ausgabe von The Guardian.
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