A police chief has defended officers who escorted supporters of migrants to a protest in Epping. Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington, giving an update in Chelmsford, said officers did escort some people to the action on foot, but said claims protesters were “bussed” there were “categorically wrong”. He explained some protesters were driven away from the protest for their own safety.
However, there has been a massive backlash to his comments. Political commentator for GB News, Lee Harris, said: “This press conference with Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington is painful to watch. His officers were literally filmed escorting in, then bussing out, far-left agitators to the Bell Hotel in Epping. No explanation, no resignation, no apology, just arrogant, vacuous rubbish.”
A series of demonstrations has taken place outside the Bell Hotel in the Essex town since asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, was charged with sexual offences, which he denies. Essex Police said on Wednesday (July 23) the protests began peacefully but “escalated to the point of disorder and criminal damage”. Eight officers were injured at one demonstration outside the hotel on July 17, and five men were charged with disorder at the protests.
Mr Harrington thanked locals and those who turned up to protest peacefully and lawfully. He added: “What has been unacceptable has been the people who have come to Epping and committed violence, who have attacked people who work at the hotel, who have attacked officers, who have damaged property and who have caused fear and disruption to the people of Epping.
“That is not tolerable, it will not be tolerated, and to that end, we have made 10 arrests.”
Counter-protesters were taken to the protests, leading Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to call for Essex Police’s Chief Constable to resign. Mr Harrington has refused to do so.
Alongside a clip shared in a post on X, Mr Farage said: “This video proves [Essex Police] transported left-wing protesters to the Bell Hotel in Epping. There is no way Chief Constable BJ Harrington can stay in position.”
In a statement before Mr Harrington spoke to the media, Essex Police also denied claims officers “bussed” counter-protesters to the protest. It said officers escorted some of them to the action on foot, where they and others exercised their right to protest.
The force said later that some people who were at risk of being hurt were escorted away for their safety by police.
Mr Harrington said the force was aware of a couple of protests being advertised and discussed for the coming week and officers had a robust operation in place.
He added: “It’s about communities. It’s about protecting communities, whoever they are.”
Jonathan Glover, 47, of Springfields, Waltham Abbey, Stuart Williams, 36, of Duck Lane, Thornwood, Epping, Keith Silk, 33, of Torrington Drive, Loughton, and Dean Smith, 51, of Madells, Epping, have been charged with violent disorder in connection with the protests and are due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on August 18.
A fifth man, Joe McKenna, 34, of Highcliffe Road, Wickford, is charged with failing to remove a face covering when told to do so and remains on bail until a hearing at the same court on September 24.
Essex Police previously said the cost of policing the incidents in Epping over the last week had reached £100,000.