Asylum seekers ought to nonetheless be put again on the Bibby Stockholm barge regardless of the row attributable to the invention of Legionella, the well being secretary has stated.

Legionella micro organism could cause a doubtlessly lethal lung an infection often known as Legionnaires' illness. It is contracted by individuals inhaling droplets of water containing the micro organism.

None of the migrants on the barge have proven any signs of the illness, in accordance with the Home Office.

Asylum seekers had been faraway from the barge on Friday after Legionella micro organism was discovered within the vessel's water system.

It later emerged that individuals spent 4 days on board the barge earlier than they had been eliminated by the Home Office as a "precautionary measure" - prompting a blame recreation about what the federal government knew and when.

Dorset Council has stated Home Office contractors had been notified concerning the outcomes final Monday - 4 days earlier than individuals had been moved off the barge.

The council went on to say {that a} Home Office employees member was knowledgeable concerning the micro organism on Tuesday.

However, a authorities supply beforehand instructed Sky News that there isn't a file of this dialog, and claimed the Home Office solely acquired a written notification concerning the Legionella on Wednesday night.

Speaking to Sky News, Mr Barclay stated ministers had been knowledgeable about traces of the micro organism solely on Thursday.

Asked about claims the Home Office was knowledgeable about take a look at outcomes which found the micro organism on Tuesday, he stated: "This is a standard thing the council had done. There is no reason to suggest there were concerns. As a precaution the tests were done.

"As quickly as ministers had been notified on Thursday evening, there have been some issues with that, they took instantaneous motion."

He added: "It would be the council notified the Home Office, that is a matter for these within the Home Office to reply to, clearly this can be a Home Office lead.

"My understanding from colleagues in the Home Office is it was notified to Home Office ministers on Thursday and they then took very quick action as a result."

And requested whether or not individuals ought to be put again on the Bibby Stockholm regardless of the controversy, Mr Barclay replied: "Yes, I do, because it's costing around £6m a day in terms of the cost of hotels.

"It's necessary that we each keep security requirements, but additionally replicate the strain on the taxpayer place when it comes to that £6m."

The barge is one in all various different websites the Home Office is utilizing to finish reliance on costly inns for asylum seekers, which the federal government says is costing the taxpayer £6m a day.

Its operation has been mired in controversy after its opening was delayed a number of occasions earlier than it lastly opened to asylum seekers final Monday.

Content Source: information.sky.com