Latest news with #powderkeg
BBC News
22-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Epping asylum hotel protest a 'powder keg', says council leader
A council leader has described protests outside a hotel used to house asylum seekers as a "powder keg" Forest District Council's Conservative leader Chris Whitbread was speaking after more than 1,000 people gathered outside The Bell Hotel in the town in separate protests over two nights last activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, had said he would attend a further planned protest at the an interview with BBC Newsnight's Victoria Derbyshire, Whitbread said: "My concerns are for next week, or this week, if Tommy Robinson turns up... We really have got to get this back under control." The protests followed the arrest and charge of an asylum seeker on suspicion of alleged sexual assaults in the repeated calls for the hotel to stop housing asylum seekers following the incident. Six people have been arrested following the latest protest with one man accused of violent disorder. Whitbread said there were concerns about the location which is near a school and the town centre."Fair-minded people within the local community, initially protesting peacefully, want the hotel closed," he said. "I have to say, as the leader of the council, that's always been my position and the council's position. This is just not a suitable location. The sooner it's dealt with, the better."He said he sympathised with the "vulnerable" asylum seekers at the hotel but stressed locations which had "less impact on established communities" needed to be found by the Home Office. "It's a powder keg now and we need to get something done and we need the Home Office to listen," he if he had a message for Mr Yaxley-Lennon and his supporters, Mr Whitbread said: "Keep away, [you're] not welcome here in Epping Forest. "What we want to do is make sure our town stays peaceful and people can enjoy their lives here. That's the most important message to get through."Mr Yaxley-Lennon has been contacted for comment. Downing Street previously said the scenes at Epping were "clearly unacceptable".The prime minister's official spokesman said: "Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy but it's clearly unacceptable to see police coming under attack as they ensure that peaceful protest is able to take place." A Home Office spokeswoman had told the BBC the asylum system was under "unprecedented strain"."That was the situation the government inherited, but we have begun to restore order," she Police said it was disappointed to see the protest escalate into "mindless thuggery" after one officer was struck in the face with a bottle and taken to hospital for treatment. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Get our flagship newsletter with all the headlines you need to start the day. Sign up here.
Daily Mail
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Is 'powder keg' Britain facing another summer of riots? Starmer warned far right could feed off migrant hotel fury
Britain is a 'powder keg' that could explode into a 'a summer of riots' unless Labour gets a grip on migrant hotels, Sir Keir Starmer has been warned. The Prime Minister is facing pressure to act to prevent a repeat of 2024, when towns and cities were hit by violent, often racist protests triggered by the Southport child murders. As the Commons prepares to break up today for its summer recess, Labour MPs have voiced fears that the country could see violence before they return in September, in a rerun of 12 months ago. At the same time the leader of Epping Forest District Council warned that far right groups could feed off discontent if migrant hotels are not closed. Chris Whitbread spoke after demonstrations outside a hotel in Epping, Essex, left eight police officers injured. He told BBC Newsnight that the council had warned the Home Office the hotel was the wrong site, adding: 'It's a powder keg now and we need to get something done and we need the Home Office to listen.' He went on: 'My concerns are for next week, or this week, if Tommy Robinson turns up, if we see another example of what happened on Thursday evening, we really have got to get this back under control. He told Mr Robinson - whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon he was 'not welcome' and should stay away, but added: 'What we want is the Home Office to act sensibly, recognise that this hotel is in the wrong location for this type of use and close it as quickly as possible.'' The Prime Minister is facing pressure to act to prevent a repeat of 2024, when towns and cities were hit by violent, often racist protests triggered by the Southport child murders. Eight police officers were injured following what started as a peaceful protest outside the Bell Hotel in Epping on Thursday evening. The latest protest, on Sunday, saw more than 100 demonstrators assemble outside the hotel with some chanting 'save our kids'. Thursday's demonstration was one of a series of protests outside the hotel since asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, was charged with sexual assault following an incident where he is alleged to have attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl. Kebatu denied the charge when he appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Thursday. Essex Police said six people were arrested on Sunday evening and remain in custody, including a 17-year-old male on suspicion of causing criminal damage to a police car. Four were arrested on Sunday for alleged offences during Thursday's protest, police said. Last night Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow, of Essex Police, said the cost of policing the incidents over the last week had reached £100,000. 'What we have seen in Epping over the last week is not protest, it's hooliganism and the people responsible for it can expect to be held accountable,' he added. But Reform leader Nigel Farage defended those protesting as 'genuinely concerned families' and blamed 'some bad eggs' for the violent clashes with police. But Reform leader Nigel Farage defended those protesting as 'genuinely concerned families' and blamed 'some bad eggs' for the violent clashes with police. Sir Keir is facing pressure more generally to show what he is all about, amid fears his government is blowing in the wind. It comes after several difficulty weeks that have seen his attempts to cut the welfare bill defeated and subsequent decision to suspend four MPs drive a rift into Labour. He and Chancellor Rachel Reeves are also struggling to get the economy going, with fears of a raft of new tax rises in the autumn Budget. One Labour MP told Politico: 'People want him to succeed — they like him, but they need a mission or purpose that can be easily sold to the public and we've never had one of those.' The PM clashed with one of his senior MPs over welfare reform yesterday as she said she felt 'ashamed' of the 'poor' legislation the Government had put forward. Work and pensions committee chairwoman Debbie Abrahams said the welfare bill was 'far removed' from Labour values as she questioned the Prime Minister at the Liaison Committee. She asked Sir Keir what he would like to say to the disabled people who experienced 'fear and anxiety' before the Government made concessions on its bill. 'Well, it's very important that they feel secure and supported, and that is at the heart of what we are doing in the changes we are making to welfare and related areas,' he said.
