Accusations that "Labour-linked" charities and lawyers are blocking efforts to move asylum seekers out of hotels are "nothing short of risible", a shadow frontbencher said.
Shadow transport secretary Louise Haigh has hit out at the government's "desperate" line of defence after it emerged 20 people did not board the Bibby Stockholm barge on Monday.
While 15 asylum seekers did move onto the vessel - one of the Home Office's new forms of accommodation to reduce reliance on expensive hotels - the Care4Calais group said other transfers were "cancelled" due to legal challenges.
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In response, a government source briefed newspapers that "Labour-linked charities and lawyers are repeatedly trying to stop us from moving illegal migrants out of expensive hotels".
They added that Labour "need to quit trying to sabotage our plans to stop the boats" and "back the barge".
Ms Haigh told Sky News she does not know what link lawyers or charities that are working on this issue have to the Labour party.
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"I think it really is a desperate attempt to deflect from their own failures," she said.
"The idea that the official opposition that's not been in government for more...
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