Health Secretary Orders Asylum Seekers Back to “Legionella” Barge Amid Scandal
The Health Secretary has sparked fury by insisting that asylum seekers return to the Bibby Stockholm barge – despite it being flagged for Legionella bacteria. This nasty bug can cause Legionnaires’ disease, a deadly lung infection spread through water droplets.
Legionella Scare on the Bibby Stockholm
None of the migrants on the barge have shown any symptoms so far, says the Home Office. But tensions soared after the discovery of Legionella in the barge’s water system forced an evacuation last Friday. Shockingly, some people stayed onboard for four whole days after the bacteria was found – raising serious questions over how quickly the government acted.
Dorset Council and Home Office Clash Over Timeline
- Dorset Council claims it warned Home Office contractors about the positive Legionella test the Monday before the evacuation – a full four days in advance.
- The council says it informed a Home Office official again on Tuesday about the bacteria’s presence.
- A Government source disputes this, saying there’s no record of those conversations and that the Home Office only got written notice on Wednesday evening.
The Health Secretary told Sky News officials only became aware of the issue on Thursday, denying any earlier knowledge. She brushed off concerns about delayed action, saying the council followed normal procedures and no immediate threat was detected.
Blame Game Fuels Public Outrage
The row has sparked fierce debates over transparency and how quickly risks to migrants were handled. Yet, despite the backlash, the Health Secretary insists the asylum seekers must return to the barge. The move highlights the ongoing tug-of-war between protecting public health and safeguarding vulnerable migrants.
