PM stands by barge

THE Prime Minister has defended the Government's decision to accommodate migrants on the Bibby Stockholm barge despite a series of setbacks.

Rishi Sunak argued the Government's approach to dealing with the Channel crossings was fairer for the taxpayer than putting up asylum seekers in hotels.

Migrants were housed on the barge off the Dorset coast last week. But they were removed on Friday when Legionella, a potentially deadly bacteria, was found in the water supply.

Mr Sunak swerved a question about whether he was personally warned about potential health risks on board the barge.

"What has happened here is 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.