Far-right activist to lead protest against RAF asylum seekers plan

A far-right activist will lead a protest against plans to house asylum seekers in RAF Scampton[1]. Around 2,000 asylum seekers are to be housed at RAF Scampton, the former home of the Red Arrows and the Dambusters, and plans have been met with local opposition. Vocal critics include Gainsborough's[2] Conservative MP Sir Edward Leigh and Labour's parliamentary candidate for Lincoln Hamish Falconer.

Alek Yerbury, who also led protests in Skegness in February, is a former member of the far-right group Patriotic Alternative and is believed to also be behind this protest. It is set to take place in Lincoln[3] city centre at around 12pm. Mr Falconer described the organisers of the protest as far right activists, saying: "They are not welcome here, I oppose them, and they should stay away.

"The community in Scampton have already been absolutely clear that the far right have absolutely nothing to do with our campaign and they will not attend". The protest will also be met with anti-protesters and there is due to be a significant amount of people attending the protest in Lincoln city centre. Lincoln and District Trades Council and Stand Up to Racism are also due to meet at St.

Martins Square, just beside Be At One at 11am before marching down the High Street at 11.30am towards the Cornhill. Hope Not Hate, a group that campaigns against racism and fascism, suggest the concerns of Mr Yerbury, who lives in Leeds, are insincere. A Hope Not Hate spoksperson said: "Alek Yerbury has latched onto the campaign against RAF Scampton being used to house migrants, trying to pose as a champion of the local community.

In reality, he is trying to stir up hate in the community and recruit people to his far right politics. Covering Yerbury's extreme politics and racism, and that he is taking advantage of local concerns about the use of RAF Scampton, is really important to call out his activity". There has also been concern among the local police force.

Lincolnshire Police and Crime Commissioner told The i newspaper: "While I wholeheartedly support the right of anyone in the community to peacefully express their views, I am conscious of the strain placed upon an already stretched local police service who are on a daily basis pushed to their limits and beyond. "I would ask those who do attend to respect the law and the rights of the population of Lincoln, who bear no responsibility for the decision to place migrants in Scampton, to go about their lives peacefully and undisturbed". Follow live updates below.

References

  1. ^ RAF Scampton (www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk)
  2. ^ Gainsborough's (www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk)
  3. ^ Lincoln (www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk)
  4. ^ Driver found to have caused student's death in Skegness crash (www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk)