‘Heads must roll': Fury as UK police admit escorting pro-migrant protesters to Epping asylum hotel

News.com.au

3 days ago

Police in the UK have admitted escorting pro-migrant protesters to an asylum hotel before violence erupted.
Essex Police had initially denied it brought demonstrators from Stand Up to Racism to the Bell Hotel in Epping, 30 kilometres northeast of London, before clashes with anti-migrant protesters last Sunday, July 17.
The force changed its tune after being shown footage of the activists apparently being led by officers from a station to outside the hotel while holding placards.
Six people have been charged with offences related to the disorder.
However, while accepting it provided a 'foot cordon', the force has denied claims today it specifically 'bussed' the counter-protesters to the hotel.
Essex Police is continuing to face heavy scrutiny over its handling of the protests.
In a press conference on Wednesday, Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said, 'It is not for Essex Police to make a judgement about asylum or immigration policy.'
He added that the police are there to 'make sure that people can go about their rights and business lawfully' and not judge asylum policy.
Asked if he is considering his position the Essex Police chief said, 'The issue is not about my resignation, the issue is about an effective policing operation.'
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage earlier blasted the police chief and said 'there is no way chief constable BJ Harrington can stay in position'.
A spokesperson for the force added on Wednesday evening, 'Misinformation has circulated online suggesting we 'bussed in' counter protesters during a recent protest in Epping on Thursday 17 July.
'This is categorically untrue.
'Groups of protesters and counter-protesters — each of which have a legal right to peacefully protest in a public location — attempted to travel to the Bell Hotel on foot, to demonstrate outside the site.
'This is their right and it is not for the police to prevent any one group from doing so, if they are doing so lawfully and peacefully.
'However, officers were aware of a need to keep the groups separate and to keep the peace.
'Therefore, officers ensured they maintained a presence around each group. This also took place on foot.
'This effectively constituted a walking cordon around a group of counter protesters as they walked through Epping in the direction of the protest.
'No counter protesters were brought to the scene via police transport.
'Footage we are releasing shows the counter protesters arriving on foot and being approached by opposing protesters.
'The two groups were separated, and the counter protesters eventually left, surrounded by officers.
'We are aware of footage circulating on social media showing protesters getting into police vehicles.
'This relates to the later use of three police carriers to transport some protesters away from the scene after disorder escalated.
'This was done for their safety, to free up police resources and to prevent additional violence.'
Hotel prepared for more migrants
It comes as the near 500-room Britannia Hotel in London's Canary Wharf is currently preparing for migrants to arrive.
Photos today show new beds and mattresses being unloaded and carried into the four star hotel in the heart of the capital's swanky docklands, and where rooms can typically cost up to £469 ($965) a night.
A spokesman for Tower Hamlets council said, 'We are aware of the government's decision to use the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf to provide temporary accommodation for asylum seekers.
'It is important that the government ensures that there is a full package of support for those staying at the hotel.
'We are working with the Home Office and partners to make sure that all necessary safety and safeguarding arrangements are in place.'
The Home Office has reserved more than 400 beds at the Britannia International Hotel, agreeing a deal for £81 ($167) per night for each migrant who stays there.
It has been confirmed that no asylum seekers are currently living there.
The Home Office reserves beds in empty hotel rooms in case of a surge in crossings over the summer period.
Home Office sources revealed to The Sun that the average cost per night for a hotel room for a migrant is now £118.87 ($244.60), down from £162.16 ($333.68) in March 2023.
Housing asylum seekers in hotels costs the UK taxpayer £5.77 million ($11.87 million) a day.
According to websites such as Booking.com, the hotel is not taking reservations.
Police were seen guarding outside last night as protesters gathered.
The hotel sits on the waterfront of the South Dock.
Epping chaos
Chaos was sparked outside the hotel in Epping last week after an asylum seeker appeared in court charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.
The unrest saw protesters launching themselves on riot vans, smashing windshields and ripping off wingmirrors in senseless displays of 'hooliganism'.
One was even run over while attempting to stop a police van gaining access to the hotel.
Another man had his teeth knocked out after riot cops smashed a shield into his face in a brutal clash.
Mr Farage said 'heads will roll' over the escort, which he alleged was done to 'force a confrontation'.
He added, 'Initially they denied that it had ever happened in the first place.'
The politician had previously said, 'I didn't want to believe this had happened and then I saw the video.
'It's an absolute disgrace, and the police's priorities need urgently looking at.'
Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper said, 'We have a reasonable duty to protect people who want to exercise their rights.
'In terms of bringing people to the hotel, the police have a duty to facilitate free assembly.
'We would only ever take people away from protest if we felt there was an immediate threat to people or property, to free up police resources, to protect others, or to prevent additional violence.
'In Epping, officers took all three of those into account before making their decisions.'
Cops arrested two men, aged 36, and 47, on suspicion of violent disorder under Section 2 of the Public Order Act.
A 51-year-old has also now been charged with violent disorder.
A 34-year-old man remains in custody on suspicion of breaching Section 60AA of the Public Order Act.
Meanwhile, two teens aged 17 and 16, were also arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage to a vehicle and going equipped to cause criminal damage, respectively.
The force confirmed eight officers were injured in the clashes.
The protest was sparked by a 38-year-old Ethiopian asylum seeker who was arrested and later charged with three counts of sexual assault, one count of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity and one count of harassment without violence.
Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, who had been living at the Bell Hotel, denies sexual assault.
He appeared at Colchester Magistrates' Court on Thursday, July 10, where he denied all charges.
His arrest led to multiple protests in the region, culminating in the violent clashes.
Since tensions reached boiling point, violent demonstrations have cost the force £100,000 ($206,000).
There are about 210 hotels under contracts with the Home Office to house migrants.
A Sun investigation revealed 339 defendants who had been living at asylum hotels had appeared in magistrate's courts already this year.
Sir Keir Starmer released a statement in response to the growing tensions.
'Well, I think it's obviously important that communities know that we are working to reduce the number of asylum hotels,' said the PM's spokesperson.
'That is a clear government policy. But it's also important that legitimate protest doesn't cross over into something else, and we would always hope that communities would respect that.
'But we are, and I think the Prime Minister is on record as saying, about the need to cut migration, both lawfully and illegal migration, and that is something that you're seeing in working on tirelessly over the last year, whether it be the agreement with the French last week or the agreement with the German government yesterday, that is a priority for this government.
'It is something that requires international solutions, and that is why you're seeing this flurry of activity from this government to tackle these gangs from every possible angle.'