A group of migrant fishermen recognised as victims of modern slavery have been awarded £20,000 each compensation by the UK Government.

The Ghanaian crew were rescued in 2020 from the scallop-trawler Olivia Jean, owned by a Scottish fishing firm TN Trawlers.

The boat is part of the fleet owned by Thomas Iain Nicholson of TN Enterprises, a firm based in Annan in Dumfries and Galloway.

The company was named in the recent BBC documentary Slavery at Sea. It has denied all allegations of modern slavery and human trafficking.

One of the fishermen, speaking on behalf of the group, said the settlement was a step towards justice but "no amount of money can erase the suffering".

The claimants had been given leave to enter the UK as contract seamen. However, once on the vessel they were subject to modern slavery and forced labour.

Their living conditions were grossly unsanitary and cramped, and they were not able to access safe drinking water, adequate food or medical treatment.

They did not have leave to enter and remain on UK shores and could not leave their vessel and enter the UK lawfully even when it was at port….

The fishermen argued that the government breached their human rights not to be held in slavery or servitude or to perform forced or compulsory labour….