Crowborough Asylum Seeker Protest Leads to No Confidence Vote for Police Commissioner
A protest against the housing of asylum seekers at Crowborough Training Camp has culminated in a no confidence vote against Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Katy Bourne. The motion, which passed with a vote of 10-4, reflects significant discontent among council members regarding Bourne’s impartiality in the matter.
The motion received cross-party backing, with representatives from the Green, Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Conservative parties uniting in their criticism of Bourne’s actions. This censure follows her attendance at a protest on November 8, where she voiced opposition to the Home Office’s decision to house 540 men at the training camp, a site that has become a focal point for local protests.
The Sussex Police and Crime Panel’s motion stated that Bourne’s failure to remain impartial brought her office into disrepute. In response, Bourne has instructed solicitors to pursue a judicial review against the panel, claiming that the censure was unlawful and that she feels harassed for executing her duties as commissioner.
“We therefore censure her for her actions,” stated the Sussex Police and Crime Panel, emphasizing the gravity of the situation. A spokeswoman for Bourne’s office countered, “The PCP has been invited to withdraw the censure motion and to issue a public apology to the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner for censuring her unlawfully.” This back-and-forth highlights the tensions surrounding the issue of asylum seekers in the community.
Crowborough Training Camp has been the site of multiple protests since authorities announced it would accommodate over 500 men awaiting decisions on their asylum applications. The local campaign group, Crowborough Shield, has been vocal in its opposition to the use of the camp for this purpose, further complicating the dynamics between local authorities and community sentiments.
Bourne, who has held the commissioner role since 2012, maintains that her engagement on social media regarding the issue was in a personal capacity and that some comments were misinterpreted. The panel’s motion was non-binding, allowing Bourne the right to respond, yet the implications of the vote may have lasting effects on her political career.
As the situation unfolds, observers are keen to see how Bourne’s judicial review will progress and whether the panel will reconsider its stance. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the next steps in this contentious issue, as the community grapples with the implications of housing asylum seekers in Crowborough.
