We’ll use Andy Burnham’s own Hillsborough Law against him

On Thursday, Housing Secretary Angela Rayner approved the plans for new asylum accommodation at the ex-MoD Bicester site.

At least 1,250 male asylum seekers will be moved into the site, a decision which the village of Piddington has publicly fought against.

Speaking on behalf of their village, which holds a population of just 350 people, Mr McNally stated at his press conference that the Government’s lack of consultation has been a “disgrace”.

He said: “Andy Burnham and co, you’re all responsible for what you’re doing and we’ve tried very hard to engage with you in a appropriate, professional and polite manner.

“And yet you haven’t extended to us a simple courtesy of consideration of what we are going to have to consider to receive here, our new incumbent guests that you have targeted for us, 1,250 men.”

Calling out the Prime Minister directly, Mr McNally said: “Andy Burnham, where’s your responsibility to our community and the sexual violence that might be coming upon our community here? You haven’t stepped up once to discuss that.

“This aspect of deceit and lies and manipulation of the process, I’m disgusted by it, and this is why I have been so driven to do what I’ve done. Andy Burnham, it’s a disgrace.

“You’ve only been in position since July 20th, and you haven’t responded to a single request from me. You should have been there. You should have responded.”

Speaking to The Times, the Parish Council Chair warned the Prime Minister that should any crimes be committed against a Piddington villager by an asylum seeker, he will use Hillsborough Law against him.

Mr McNally said: “This is one of their cherished laws that they want to bring into place. If the migrants come and someone is harmed or someone is killed, it is the decision of the Government that made that happen, and that makes them complicit to the act.”

He continued: “They will probably be the first people to be in the Hillsborough Law test. Their own law will be their demise.

“People who have spoken about Piddington will become part of that list that we will hunt down, on behalf of our community that has been impacted by a criminal act.”

The Hillsborough Law, officially known as the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, is designed to end institutional cover-ups and hold public servants and authorities accountable.

The Bill was passed in the House of Commons in July and is currently moving through the House of Lords.

Responding to the backlash to the approval, the Prime Minister’s deputy spokeswoman said such asylum sites are “designed to be self-contained with 24/7 security and CCTV to minimise the impact on the local community”.

She said: “As the prime minister himself has said, we do not want a situation where it’s only the poorest communities in the country that receive all of the dispersal of refugees and asylum seekers who believe all parties to play their part.”

Asked what he would say to the women of Piddington, the spokeswoman said: “I think he would say we completely understand the strength of the feeling here and the safety of the public will always be our top priority, and that’s why we will work with police and other partners to ensure security arrangements are in place.”

The Home Office has made clear that although plans have been approved by Ms Rayner, a final decision to proceed with the site is still pending.