Nigel Farage launched a blistering attack on Essex Police, accusing its officers of “bussing in” what he called “Antifa protesters” hellbent on “forcing a confrontation” at a hotel in Epping. However, the force has hit back, describing the Reform leader’s version of events as “categorically wrong”.
The Reform UK leader, himself an MP for the Essex constituency of Clacton, took to X after the force confirmed it had accompanied members of Stand Up to Racism to the Bell Hotel, the scene of angry clashes at the weekend. Mr Farage posted: “Essex Police escorted ANTIFA protesters to the Bell Hotel in Epping to force a confrontation. Initially, they denied that it had ever happened in the first place. Heads must roll.”
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Nigel Farage shared a clip appearing to show protesters getting into a police van (Image: X)
He subsequently shared the clip in which demonstrators appear to be allowed to get into a police vehicle, commenting: “This video proves @EssexPoliceUK transported left-wing protestors to The Bell hotel in Epping. There is no way Chief Constable BJ Harrington can stay in position.”
In a clip shared via X which features some of the footage, Mr Farage said: “This shows Stand Up To Racism with Antifa, a violent thuggish group, arriving at the train station and literally by Essex Police being bussed to the Bell Hotel. These were the people that caused the disturbances, these were the people that caused the riots.
“Essex Police caused the disturbances. What on Earth were Essex Police thinking?
“Is it that they just hate so much ordinary residents determined for their own rights? I don’t know the answer to that question but what I do know is that what Essex Police have done here is absolutely disgraceful. One of the most extraordinary acts I’ve seen from the police force in my lifetime.”
After Mr Farage’s post, Essex Police issued a statement in which it said: “There are claims on social media that Essex Police officers ‘bussed’ protesters to the protest outside the Bell Hotel on Thursday 17 July. “This is categorically wrong.
Police officers form a line in the town centre of Epping at the weekend (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
“Officers did provide a foot cordon around protesters on their way to the protest, where they and others were allowed to exercise their right to protest.
“Later some people who were clearly at risk of being hurt were also escorted by vehicle away from the area for their safety.
“To reiterate, we categorically did not drive any counter protesters to the site on any occasion.”
The clip does show people getting into a police van, although it is not clear whether they did so before or after the protests.
Police officers stand guard outside the Britannia International Hotel in Docklands (Image: Getty Images)
Footage posted online also seemed to show tensions escalating after the activists arrived, with objects thrown and minor injuries reported. Police made six arrests after disorder on Sunday.
Local residents and anti-migrant campaigners accused the police of provoking confrontation and favouring one side.
Orla Minihane, a Reform UK council candidate and protest organiser, claimed the force was “almost forcing” a clash.
Essex Police Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper said officers had acted to protect people exercising their legal right to protest.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has acknowledged growing public anger over immigration (Image: Getty)
He said: “In Epping, officers took into account threats to people and property, freeing up police resources and preventing additional violence.”
The controversy follows the arrest of Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, a 38-year-old asylum seeker charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. He denies the charges.
Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has acknowledged growing public anger over immigration, warning it risks undermining community cohesion. Essex Police have scheduled a press conference to explain how the protests were handled.
Meanwhile, the Home Office has denied claims that asylum seekers from Epping are being relocated to a four-star hotel in London’s Canary Wharf following the unrest.
Nigel Farage’s post on X (Image: X)
Fellow Reform UK MP Lee Anderson said on Wednesday that police had confirmed that Britannia International was being prepared for a group of “asylum seekers”.
Stand Up to Racism (SUTR) is a UK-based campaign group backed by trade unions like the NEU and UNISON, and supported by politicians from Labour, the Greens, and some on the left of the SNP. It publicly positions itself as a broad, peaceful anti-racist movement.
Antifa (short for anti-fascist) is not a single group but a loosely affiliated collection of activists, often operating anonymously and with more militant tactics.
Individuals operating under its banner have taken part in counter-demonstrations organised or promoted by SUTR.
Most Popular Comments
1st Most liked comment • 12 hours ago39
“So Essex Police took people into an area where they needed to be escorted rather than somewhere nearby to hold their counter protest against …”
2nd Most liked comment • 12 hours ago36
“Essex Police Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper should resign,his officers …”
3rd Most liked comment • 11 hours ago25
“So-called counter-protests are today’s equivalent of 1970s flying pickets which HMG …”