Safety dispute over ferry plan to house refugees
CALLS for urgent safety checks at a ferry to be used as accommodation for Ukrainian refugees have been snubbed by SNP ministers.
UK Refugees Minister Lord Richard Harrington wants the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) brought in to check if the Estonian ferry docked at Leith in Edinburgh is ‘seaworthy and appropriate accommodation’.
Officials at the MCA yesterday confirmed it still has not been asked to inspect the MS Victoria, despite the call being made directly by Lord Harrington the previous Monday.
The Home Office and refugee charities have said the ferry is not suitable housing for vulnerable people’. In a letter sent on July 18 to Neil Gray, the SNP minister responsible for Ukrainian refugees, Lord Harrington said he wanted the MCA to ‘conduct a full check of the vessel, to ensure that it is seaworthy and appropriate accommodation for the length of stay you are anticipating’.
An MCA spokesman said no such inspection had yet been instructed. Miles Briggs, Scottish Conservative social justice and housing spokesman, said: ‘It is shocking that SNP ministers have ignored calls for an inspection of the MS Victoria, despite concerns from both the UK Government and refugee charities.
‘An inspection is essential to establish whether these cabins are remotely suitable for hosting 700 traumatised refugees fresh from a warzone.
‘SNP ministers must finally order the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to carry out an inspection immediately – and follow its findings to the letter.’
A Scottish Government spokesman said: ‘Our contractor has carried out a full risk assessment and is undertaking rigorous due diligence on health and safety on the vessel. Should the MCA decide to undertake an inspection, we will be happy to arrange this.’