Britain to return asylum seekers to barge after bacteria scare

Britain said on Tuesday it would once again house a group of asylum seekers on a barge on its southern coast, two months after removing them due to the presence of contaminated water on the vessel.
The detection in August of legionella bacteria in the water system of the Bibby Stockholm barge just days after dozens of asylum seekers had moved onto the vessel was an embarrassment for the government, which had pitched the policy as a way of cutting the costs of accommodating migrants.
Following safety tests, the government has now started sending letters to asylum seekers confirming they will be moved to the barge, an interior ministry spokesperson said.
“The letters confirm the next steps for asylum seekers and reiterate that all asylum accommodation continues to be offered on a no-choice basis,” the spokesperson added.