Essex Police Chief Refuses Resignation Amid Epping Migrant Protest Controversy

Ben-Julian Harrington, Chief Constable of Essex Police, has firmly rejected calls from Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to resign over the handling of protests outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, where an asylum seeker was charged with sexual assault. Harrington acknowledged that police escorted pro-migrant protesters to the hotel but denied claims that officers 'bussed' protesters in or gave preferential treatment, emphasizing that the police protect all lawful and law-abiding individuals regardless of their views. He stressed that the police role is to maintain safety and order, not to make judgments on immigration policy, which is a government matter. Harrington highlighted that interventions by officers were only in response to disorder and that some protesters at risk of harm were escorted away for their safety. The protests have involved violent clashes and arrests, but the chief constable insists the police operation remains impartial and focused on community safety. The situation remains under close attention as tensions persist in Epping.