Council leader Councillor Cammy Day said he was shocked to be informed by UK Government officials that MS Victoria is to be repurposed for asylum seekers after hosting thousands of Ukrainian refugees for the past year while docked in Leith.

While it has not been confirmed the vessel will remain in Leith, it is understood that the port is one of a number under consideration by the Home Office to provide a temporary home for asylum seekers.

As the Ukrainian refugees continue to move away from the vessel, Councillor Day said the council, COSLA and dock owners Forth Ports are yet to be contacted by the UK Government.

“Over the last year and a half, we’ve shown solidarity with, and support for, thousands of Ukrainian refugees who have fled Russia’s illegal war on Ukraine, as we have for Syrian, Afghani and, most recently, Sudanese refugees,” he said. “Thankfully most of us will never experience the horrors these communities have faced, and we remain absolutely committed to supporting them in whatever way we can.”

“As Ukrainian refugees continue to disembark MS Victoria following the Scottish Government’s decision to end its use next month, we were extremely surprised to be contacted by the Home Office about their intentions to commission the ship to house asylum seekers. All the more surprising given their previous advice that it would be impossible for it to remain.

“We were not consulted on this and urgently require further details from the UK Government on their plans. I know the Scottish Government and COSLA are in the same position and, having written jointly to the Minister of State for Immigration, Robert Jenrick MP, we’ve yet to receive a satisfactory response to our questions and concerns.

“The fact that Forth Ports, who own the dock and have said they can’t accommodate the ship, haven’t yet been contacted sums up the complete lack of engagement by the Home Office.”

Councillor Day added: “The potential consequences for the council in terms of the pressures on our services – and the city as a whole – are severe and, barring robust partnership discussions involving NHS, police, and other colleagues, we will continue to oppose these plans in the strongest terms.

“Many of these people have risked their lives to make it to Europe and what they need is recognition and rights, not an unknown future without the support they so desperately need. While the MS Victoria has been a place of refuge for many Ukrainian people, until we have adequate reassurances from the UK Government regarding welfare and ongoing engagement and support, we cannot allow it to become a floating prison for asylum seekers.”

The Home Office said it is working with local authorities across the UK to disperse “fairly” asylum seekers across the UK and end “the unacceptable use of hotels”. It has a statutory obligation to provide accommodation for those who would otherwise be destitute while their claims are considered.

A Home Office spokesman said: “The significant increase in illegal, unnecessary and dangerous Channel crossings has put our asylum system under incredible strain and made it necessary to continue to use hotels to accommodate some asylum seekers.

“We are committed to making every effort to reduce hotel use and continue to engage with local authorities as early as possible whenever sites are used for asylum accommodation.”