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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Diane Taylor and Rajeev Syal

Home Office delays moving asylum seekers to barge over fire safety fears

A three-storey hotel-like building on a barge at a dock
The 222-cabin Bibby Stockholm barge is docked in Dorset. Photograph: Ben Birchall/PA

The Home Office has been forced to delay moving people seeking asylum on to a controversial giant barge in order to carry out last-minute fire safety checks amid concerns the vessel has not received approval from inspectors.

The Guardian understands the initial plan to move refugees on to the Bibby Stockholm in Portland, Dorset, has been moved from Tuesday to Wednesday for officials to give a final survey.

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