Last Tuesday, I went to the Home Office in London to meet with the civil servants responsible for the plan to moor a barge in Portland Harbour to be the temporary residence for up to 500 young, single men who have crossed the English Channel by small boat. This barge we would expect to arrive in June.

The terms ‘refugee’ and ‘migrant’ have been conflated to suit a narrative of the hard left that we as a country are unwelcoming to those seeking asylum. We have welcomed around 100,000 refugees from Ukraine, 21,387 refugees from Afghanistan, 20,000 from Syria, and of course from Hong Kong.

So I would like to be clear that the United Kingdom does a huge amount to welcome those fleeing conflict or terror.

The proposed barge is happening because Portland Port and its Chief Executive have agreed that the barge can moor there for up to 18 months with a considerable income for the port.

I do not think Dorset is well placed for this barge and I have made my petitions in opposition to it alongside my colleague Richard Drax.

But fundamentally, I know as I have shared with you a few weeks ago that this issue of illegal migration through small boats over the English Channel has got to be stopped and the Government is clear of my position with it.

And that is why I am supporting and will continue to support the Government’s illegal immigration Bill.

But my immediate concern is now to ensure that this barge is as least disruptive as possible and am in regular dialogue not just with the Home Office, but Dorset Council and others.

The way that we prevent this barge from staying any longer than is necessary is by writing to the Portland Port Chief Executive and I would encourage you to do so.

CHRIS LODER

WEST DORSET MP