Backlash to 'prison ship' barges plan

FOR years the North has more than played its part in housing those fleeing persecution in their own countries - in fact most of the areas with the highest numbers of asylum seekers are in our region.

- ROB PARSONS

But as it emerged that huge barges housing asylum seekers could be moored at docks in Merseyside and Teesside, there was an immediate and predictable backlash.

On Monday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced two vessels had been purchased to accommodate up to 1,000 asylum seekers as he insisted his plan to stop Channel crossings was "starting to work".

Based on reports in the Guardian these are thought to be at Wirral Waters in Birkenhead and Teesport in Redcar.

The newspaper also cited sources which said discussions over the acquisition of further barges and disused cruise ships had taken place, meaning thousands of asylum seekers could be housed in vessels in places including Tyneside.