Dowden’s jibe at fire union over migrant barge safety ‘disgraceful’

Deputy PM suggested FBU's Labour affiliation influenced its decision to raise concerns about the Bibby Stockholm

The deputy prime minister has been accused of making disgraceful" comments after claiming that the firefighters' union had raised safety concerns over a barge due to house asylum seekers because of close links to Labour.

Oliver Dowden suggested that the Fire Brigades Union's affiliation and donations to the opposition were a motivating factor behind fire and overcrowding concerns raised about the Bibby Stockholm in Portland, Dorset.