EPPING BRACES FOR ANOTHER HOTEL PROTEST – Feelings are mixed over the arrival of non-local anti-protestors.
This Essex commuter town has seen a series of protests around the Bell Hotel, where asylum seekers have been housed for the past few years. The catalyst last week was an Ethiopian man, who had only recently arrived on a small boat, appearing in court charged with three counts of sexual assault on a local girl. The local community feel the government’s heavy response, and the fact that they feel ignored, has stoked tensions.
Yesterday, Essex Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington denied claims that his officers ‘bussed’ counter-demonstrators to a protest outside the migrant hotel. The allegations surfaced online following a protest at the hotel, where tensions flared between anti-migrant demonstrators and pro-migrant counter-groups.
Social media users and some residents accused police of facilitating counter-protests by providing transportation for them. However, the police chief stated there is “no truth” to the claim and emphasised the force’s commitment to impartiality in managing public order. His rather faltering response to this question, and the video, raises some doubt about the validity of his statement.
Essex Police confirmed they monitored both groups to ensure safety but did not organise or support travel arrangements for any side. They have admitted they did bus some non-local anti-protestors away from the area.
Reform UK Leader Nigel Farage has demanded that the Chief Constable resign over the Police Force’s interventions.
