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"Tragically there has been death on the Bibby Stockholm barge,"
Cleverly told parliament. "At this stage I'm uncomfortable
getting into any more details, but we will of course investigate
fully."
Dorset Police said they had received a report of "a sudden death
of a resident on the Bibby Stockholm" at 0622 GMT on Tuesday.
"Officers are conducting enquiries into the circumstances of the
incident," police said in a statement.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has made cracking down on
illegal migration one of his key priorities. As part of that
drive, the government is trying to cut the cost of accommodating
asylum seekers in hotels by using barges and former military
sites.
But the policy has been controversial. Human rights campaigners
compared the barge to a prison ship and said its use was in
inhumane.
Care4Calais said the government must take responsibility for
"this human tragedy", saying housing of migrants in this way had
led to a serious deterioration in people’s mental health.
"We have regularly been reporting suicidal intentions amongst
residents and no action is taken," Steve Smith, the charity's
chief executive, said.
"This can no longer continue. Asylum seekers are human beings,
many of whom have experienced the worst traumas imaginable
through war, torture and persecution. It's time our political
leaders treated them as human beings, listened to the trauma
they have experienced and offered them sanctuary."
(Reporting by Sarah Young and Kylie MacLellan; Editing by
Michael Holden and Christina Fincher)
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