Bibby Stockholm: Hoax listing for asylum barge on travel website

The government's Bibby Stockholm barge for asylum seekers has appeared arsenic a hoax listing connected a question website.

The barge, successful Portland Port, Dorset, was advertised connected Booking.com a week aft it was evacuated pursuing the discovery of Legionella bacteria connected committee the craft.

The antheral down the listing, which has since been removed from the site, told the BBC helium had done it "as a joke".

Booking.com has been contacted for a comment.

Last week, 39 asylum seekers were taken disconnected the barge aft Legionella bacteria was recovered successful its h2o system.

The hoax listing connected the website described the Bibby Stockholm arsenic having a plot and offering views of Dorset's Jurassic coast.

It besides said towels and furniture linen were included connected committee the craft, arsenic good arsenic a continental, American oregon vegetarian meal "every greeting astatine the property".

It added that residents had entree to a sauna and swimming pool.

A BBC writer was capable to publication a treble country connected the barge for Monday nighttime for a full of £93.78, though that outgo has yet to beryllium processed.

The Home Office confirmed it had not made the vas disposable for nationalist bookings.

The antheral who made the listing connected Booking.com, who did not springiness his name, told the BBC it was "definitely a joke" and helium "did not deliberation they would instrumentality it seriously".

The floating hotel, intended to clasp 500 men, remains bare portion further tests are carried retired connected its h2o system.