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Migrants housed in Essex hotel find themselves at mercy of local hostility Migrants housed in Essex hotel find themselves at mercy of local hostility
(1 day later)
Far-right Britain First party leading the charge against asylum-seekers with false claims of ‘crime surge’ in Epping Far-right For Britain party leading the charge against asylum-seekers with false claims of ‘crime surge’ in Epping
Jabbing a finger in the direction of the Bell hotel, Paula Clarke was in no doubt as to what needed to happen to it. “They need to build an electrified fence around the place. It’s the only way to protect us,” said the 68-year-old.Jabbing a finger in the direction of the Bell hotel, Paula Clarke was in no doubt as to what needed to happen to it. “They need to build an electrified fence around the place. It’s the only way to protect us,” said the 68-year-old.
The hotel, which was originally a 16th-century coaching inn and is sited on the southern approach to the town of Epping in Essex, can never before have generated so much fear and loathing. Some nearby residents want its current occupants deported. Others feel very differently, proud to offer them sanctuary.The hotel, which was originally a 16th-century coaching inn and is sited on the southern approach to the town of Epping in Essex, can never before have generated so much fear and loathing. Some nearby residents want its current occupants deported. Others feel very differently, proud to offer them sanctuary.
The Bell is one of around 20 hotels chosen by the Home Office to temporarily house asylum seekers as their claims are assessed amid a shortage of permanent accommodation.The Bell is one of around 20 hotels chosen by the Home Office to temporarily house asylum seekers as their claims are assessed amid a shortage of permanent accommodation.
The scheme has illuminated the fault lines of Brexit Britain, revealing how disinformation can distort the debate on immigration. It has also electrified the far right, eager to exploit fears in a traditional Tory heartland that voted 62.7% Leave in the EU referendum.The scheme has illuminated the fault lines of Brexit Britain, revealing how disinformation can distort the debate on immigration. It has also electrified the far right, eager to exploit fears in a traditional Tory heartland that voted 62.7% Leave in the EU referendum.
Leading the campaign to “send them back” is the far-right For Britain party led by Anne Marie Waters, which counts Morrissey among its fanbase. The party’s local councillor, Julian Leppert, claims the current use of the 79-room Bell hotel is the first step to Epping becoming like multicultural inner-city London.Leading the campaign to “send them back” is the far-right For Britain party led by Anne Marie Waters, which counts Morrissey among its fanbase. The party’s local councillor, Julian Leppert, claims the current use of the 79-room Bell hotel is the first step to Epping becoming like multicultural inner-city London.
“We don’t want a Tower Hamlets out in Essex. It’s difficult to put it that way without being called a racist, but we’re entitled to our national identity as much as any other country. We shouldn’t have dominant other cultures imposed on us to the point where you no longer feel at home,” he said.“We don’t want a Tower Hamlets out in Essex. It’s difficult to put it that way without being called a racist, but we’re entitled to our national identity as much as any other country. We shouldn’t have dominant other cultures imposed on us to the point where you no longer feel at home,” he said.
Asked if he was advocating a whites-only enclave on the edge of London, Leppert replied: “Ideally, yeah.” The last census found that more than 90% of Epping residents described their ethnic group as white.Asked if he was advocating a whites-only enclave on the edge of London, Leppert replied: “Ideally, yeah.” The last census found that more than 90% of Epping residents described their ethnic group as white.
Leppert’s group have utilised trusted tactics to generate animosity towards the Bell Hotel asylum seekers, blaming them for a rise in crime. The slurs have stuck.Leppert’s group have utilised trusted tactics to generate animosity towards the Bell Hotel asylum seekers, blaming them for a rise in crime. The slurs have stuck.
One husband and wife in their 50s, who did not wish to be identified, described a jump in offences since asylum seekers arrived in June. “There’s been a big rise in car crime – vehicles taken off their drives in a way that never happened before,” said the woman. Her husband added: “Sheds have been broken into, tools taken. That all started since they came”.One husband and wife in their 50s, who did not wish to be identified, described a jump in offences since asylum seekers arrived in June. “There’s been a big rise in car crime – vehicles taken off their drives in a way that never happened before,” said the woman. Her husband added: “Sheds have been broken into, tools taken. That all started since they came”.
Nearby, beside the war memorial, a pensioner added: “My mate tells me that there’s been a lot of break-ins in the area around the hotel. He lives in an £800,000 house with alarms and security and so he’s all right, but for others it’s scary.”Nearby, beside the war memorial, a pensioner added: “My mate tells me that there’s been a lot of break-ins in the area around the hotel. He lives in an £800,000 house with alarms and security and so he’s all right, but for others it’s scary.”
The local council say the claims are entirely baseless. “Essex police have confirmed no increase in local crime, or crime associated with people staying at the Bell,” it said in a statement.The local council say the claims are entirely baseless. “Essex police have confirmed no increase in local crime, or crime associated with people staying at the Bell,” it said in a statement.
Concerned that such stories are gaining traction, Epping Forest district council has issued a myth-busting fact sheet to prevent residents becoming “unnecessarily alarmed”. Officials have also contacted police in an attempt to get a video made by Leppert on the “Epping migrant hotel scandal” removed from YouTube.Concerned that such stories are gaining traction, Epping Forest district council has issued a myth-busting fact sheet to prevent residents becoming “unnecessarily alarmed”. Officials have also contacted police in an attempt to get a video made by Leppert on the “Epping migrant hotel scandal” removed from YouTube.
Epping-born Conservative councillor Holly Whitbread believes the video’s misleading contents endanger the town’s asylum seekers. “My personal concern is that it has safeguarding implications as well as being hate-filled,” said the 27-year-old.Epping-born Conservative councillor Holly Whitbread believes the video’s misleading contents endanger the town’s asylum seekers. “My personal concern is that it has safeguarding implications as well as being hate-filled,” said the 27-year-old.
A councillor since 2016, Whitbread said she never imagined such hatred, particularly on social media, could be associated with her home town. “Epping is very nice. Normally there’s a lot of compassion, so it was a surprise to see a lot of the comments. Some people have legitimate concerns about the border, but it’s the hatred I don’t like,” she said, pointing out that For Britain has repeatedly misrepresented the Bell’s occupants as “illegal immigrants”.A councillor since 2016, Whitbread said she never imagined such hatred, particularly on social media, could be associated with her home town. “Epping is very nice. Normally there’s a lot of compassion, so it was a surprise to see a lot of the comments. Some people have legitimate concerns about the border, but it’s the hatred I don’t like,” she said, pointing out that For Britain has repeatedly misrepresented the Bell’s occupants as “illegal immigrants”.
She describes For Britain as the latest manifestation of the BNP, which believed only white people should be UK citizens. It is an accusation given credibility by the fact Leppert’s agent is Eddy Butler, the BNP’s former elections chief. Speaking on the day after a Sudanese man drowned trying to cross the Channel, Butler said: “The reason he died is because we’ve got an ‘open’ sign on our white cliffs of Dover.”She describes For Britain as the latest manifestation of the BNP, which believed only white people should be UK citizens. It is an accusation given credibility by the fact Leppert’s agent is Eddy Butler, the BNP’s former elections chief. Speaking on the day after a Sudanese man drowned trying to cross the Channel, Butler said: “The reason he died is because we’ve got an ‘open’ sign on our white cliffs of Dover.”
He added: “The only reason we’re taking lots of these people is because we put them up in hotels and give them a cushy time.”He added: “The only reason we’re taking lots of these people is because we put them up in hotels and give them a cushy time.”
According to charities, the majority of asylum seekers attempting the treacherous journey across the Channel are fleeing persecution or conflict in Sudan, Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq. Those who reach the UK receive £37.75 a week to pay for essentials such as food, clothing and toiletries and are not allowed to work. Although critics claim the Home Office-funded hotels are luxury establishments, those like the Bell are in fact modest three-star venues.According to charities, the majority of asylum seekers attempting the treacherous journey across the Channel are fleeing persecution or conflict in Sudan, Afghanistan, Iran and Iraq. Those who reach the UK receive £37.75 a week to pay for essentials such as food, clothing and toiletries and are not allowed to work. Although critics claim the Home Office-funded hotels are luxury establishments, those like the Bell are in fact modest three-star venues.
Some in Epping, however, want more, not fewer, asylum seekers. Rihanna Austin, 20, who works in a coffee shop, said: “Every town should have a place where asylum seekers can stay – it’s important to be kind. Personally, I think they’ve done nothing wrong: I haven’t noticed any increase in crime.”Some in Epping, however, want more, not fewer, asylum seekers. Rihanna Austin, 20, who works in a coffee shop, said: “Every town should have a place where asylum seekers can stay – it’s important to be kind. Personally, I think they’ve done nothing wrong: I haven’t noticed any increase in crime.”
Sam Liton, who works in Epping’s oldest Indian restaurant, founded by his parents 26 years ago, said that despite the far right’s best efforts, the town was friendly. “I’ve never once had any racism here, it’s a safe place. Racists are not welcome.”Sam Liton, who works in Epping’s oldest Indian restaurant, founded by his parents 26 years ago, said that despite the far right’s best efforts, the town was friendly. “I’ve never once had any racism here, it’s a safe place. Racists are not welcome.”
But For Britain believes it’s on a roll. Its Bell Hotel video has more than 15,500 views and Leppert thinks public opinion is behind them. Butler says the Conservatives have lost their way on immigration and that, by the time of next May’s local elections, his anti-Islamic party can snatch a handful of seats around Epping Forest.But For Britain believes it’s on a roll. Its Bell Hotel video has more than 15,500 views and Leppert thinks public opinion is behind them. Butler says the Conservatives have lost their way on immigration and that, by the time of next May’s local elections, his anti-Islamic party can snatch a handful of seats around Epping Forest.
Whitbread, however, believes traditional Conservatism will prevail and the furore surrounding the Bell will soon fade. She said: “Not much will change. The issue’s just been leaped upon by a not-so-nice political group”.Whitbread, however, believes traditional Conservatism will prevail and the furore surrounding the Bell will soon fade. She said: “Not much will change. The issue’s just been leaped upon by a not-so-nice political group”.
• The sub-heading of this article was amended on 23 August 2020 to accurately reflect the text of the article.