THE Government has quashed fears that a ‘floating Alcatraz’ could be moored off the coast of Margate.

Rumours were rife in June that a prison ship would be anchored off the shore, housing hundreds of asylum seekers with low-grade offenders from prisons working on board under supervision.

Council leader Sandy Ezekiel publicly stated that Thanet would not stand for the idea after the council was contacted by solicitors acting for clients who were in the process of acquiring an aircraft carrier, HMS Vengeance. The clients intended to potentially moor off the Margate coast and make the carrier available for asylum seekers.

The Home Office has now confirmed that they "have no plans now or in the future to purchase or use ships that would be moored off the coast of Margate".

Cllr Ezekiel has welcomed the news. He said: "With the Turner Centre planned for the harbour and the creation of a cultural quarter underway in the Old Town area, Margate has a vibrant and exciting future.

"The town remains a popular tourism destination with the main sands regaining their Seaside Award this season. This is what we want the town to be known for nationally and internationally, rather than the speculative stories which have detracted from the real progress which we are making in getting a new image for Margate."