𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

Nigel Farage has accused Essex Police of escorting what he called “Antifa protesters” hellbent on “forcing a confrontation” to a hotel in Epping. The Reform UK leader 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.

The force previously denied doing so, but their role appeared to be confirmed by video footage showing officers accompanying demonstrators from a local station to the site. 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.”

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.”

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.

“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.”

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.

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.

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.