MEP Howitt 'bundled off Dale Farm traveller site'

EAST of England Euro MP Richard Howitt has slammed the council dealing with the Dale Farm evictions, claiming he was bundled off the Essex site by security guards.

Mr Howitt said he entered a compound at the traveller site yesterday (Wednesday October 19) to give media interviews.

East of England MEP Richard Howitt

But he said he was told he did not have permission to be there, and was escorted off the site.

On Twitter, the Labour MEP said: “I’m shaken. I have just been forcibly evicted by Basildon Council. I won’t be gagged.”

He said the eviction of travellers from the site will be “futile” if families “simply move to a different illegal site nearby.”

He was also critical of the reported £20 million cost of the eviction operation.

A spokesman for the council said: “The council has had to maintain stringent security at its media compound, allowing access only to members of the media with relevant accreditation, council officials, staff and contractors – any other visitors that have been on the site have requested this access at least 48 hours prior to being on site.

“Richard Howitt was advised both verbally and in writing earlier today that told he could not enter the compound today but was offered a fully supported visit to the compound today, Thursday. 

“We are extremely disappointed that he chose to ignore our communications and tricked his way into the compound which was a security breach. He was subsequently removed from the compound and will not be allowed back.”