A local councillor has hit out at the Government about plans to provide accommodation for asylum seekers in Waterlooville.
Gwen Robinson spoke on GB News about Home Office proposals to house 35 people in flats above shops in the Hampshire town.
She claims the council, along with local MP Suella Braverman, were not informed about the controversial plans that have sparked local fury.
More than 1,000 anti-immigration protesters took to the streets yesterday to demonstrate.
GB NEWS
|
Gwen Robinson accused the Home Office of sneakily attempting to house migrants in the town under the noses of local authorities
Robinson told Alex Armstrong: “It was a problem with letting people know what was planned. At what point would residents have been told if me and Suella hadn’t raised public awareness of it?
“Channels like GB News keep people up to speed with what is going on and I think people thought, ‘no’, they decided to come out in their droves and really make their voices heard.”
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
Alex asked why the Government opted not to consult with the local council before making the decision.
“Is there a massive disconnect with national Government and local Government?”
GB NEWS
|
The councillor joined Alex Armstrong on GB News
She responded: “The person Clearsprings contacted was not on the council anymore, I said surely the email would have been bounced back.
“They handed it over to the Home Office for adjudication and I have to say, the Home Office have to hold their hands up and say they weren’t satisfied with Clearsprings’ approach.
“Apparently, if the number is below 100 [asylum seekers], they don’t have to contact the MP. In my mind, whether it’s 10 or 100, the local MP should be contacted.
“There has been errors made. I thought it was right that residents were informed of what was intended for our high street.”
Suella Braverman spoke against the move
A Home Office consultation is ongoing to decide whether the proposed accommodation can go ahead.
In a letter to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Braverman said such facilities made town centres “no-go zones for the patriotic, common-sense majority”.
In a statement on Tuesday, the council said it would “do its utmost to reflect the views of residents”.
The consultation was extended after “communication problems” were cited by the local council.