THE last eight asylum-seekers living on the Bibby Stockholm were set to leave the prison-like barge today, according to Portland Global Friendship Group.

Hundreds of men have departed the 500-capacity vessel moored in Portland, Dorset, after the government said it would not renew its contract which expires in January.

Commissioned in April 2023, the discovery of dangerous bacteria led to its evacuation last summer just days after the arrival of the first asylum-seekers in August, and it remained vacant for two months.

An inquest into the death of Albanian asylum-seeker Leonard Farruku, who died while living on board the barge in December, will resume next year.

Labour MP for South Dorset Lloyd Hatton said: “We all know this barge was a gimmick.

“First it arrived late. Second it cost the taxpayer a fortune.

“Third it was laden with fire and disease risks, and fourth it likely contributed to the death of a 27-year-old asylum-seeker on board.”