Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has criticised Reform UK leader Nigel Farage for his attacks on police handling of protests outside an asylum hotel in Epping, Essex. She said officers deserved public support for keeping the country safe.
Farage called for Essex Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington to resign after the force escorted anti-fascist protesters through a crowd demonstrating against migrants. Cooper responded: "The police do a really important job across our country keeping people safe. It is really important frankly that people support our police rather than just attacking them continually."
Farage claimed police gave "the red carpet treatment" to left-wing groups, saying they "bused masked thugs" to the protest. Chief Constable Harrington called the claims "categorically wrong", stating officers had organised a cordon to facilitate the rights of protesters. Former Met Police chief superintendent Dal Babu said Farage should correct the public record.
Epping Forest District Council unanimously passed a non-binding motion calling for the immediate closure of the Bell hotel for asylum processing and managed closure of the Phoenix hotel. Council leader Chris Whitbread accused the Home Office of not being "overly cooperative" over safeguarding concerns.
Hundreds of protesters, including women and children, marched from Epping town centre to the hotel in heavy rain. Police imposed a ban on facial coverings and arrested one 18-year-old for breaching the order. In total, 17 people have been arrested in connection with the protests. Activists from far-right groups including Homeland, Patriotic Alternative and White Vanguard have been involved, and two Reform councillors were present.
