Police have admitted escorting pro-migrant demonstrators to an asylum hotel at the centre of several days of violent protests, despite initially denying any involvement.
Essex Police had previously dismissed claims that it had brought activists from the group Stand Up to Racism to the Bell Hotel, after anti-migrant protesters alleged the arrival of counter-demonstrators had triggered the violence on July 17.
However, the force later backtracked after being shown video footage showing officers escorting protesters from a nearby police station to the hotel, reports The Telegraph. By constrast anti-migrant demonstrators accuse the police of employing heavy-handed tactics against them.
The incident has prompted Essex Police to announce a press conference for Wednesday, where the force is expected to explain how the demonstrations were policed.
It comes as Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner acknowledged that mass migration is threatening community cohesion, amid growing concerns of further unrest during the summer.
Essex Police have been emailed for comment.
So far, six people have been charged in connection with the disorder in Epping, following additional clashes between protesters and police on Sunday.
Essex Police comment
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.”
Local residents have voiced anger at the decision to escort counter-protesters — some of whom were masked — towards the hotel, warning that it made violence inevitable.
Footage posted on social media appeared to show tensions escalating shortly after the arrival of the counter-demonstrators, with reports of objects being thrown and minor injuries sustained.
Orla Minihane, one of the organisers of the anti-migrant protests and a Reform UK council candidate, said many locals — who were concerned about the safety of women and girls — believed police were almost forcing a “confrontation” between the groups.
Farage weighs in
Nigel Farage, Reform UK leader, 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.”
The controversy follows a string of recent accusations of two-tier policing levelled against forces across the country.
Thursday’s protest was part of a series of demonstrations outside the Bell Hotel after Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, a 38-year-old asylum seeker, was charged with sexual assault. He denies the allegations, which include attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl.
Meanwhile, migrant hotel protests spread to London on Tuesday night amid claims that asylum seekers from Epping were being moved to a four-star hotel in Canary Wharf — a claim the Home Office has denied.