Essex Police chief hits back against calls to resign as he refuses to apologise over handling of migrant hotel protest

When asked at a press conference about his resignation, he told a press conference: "The issue is not about my resignation. It is about the people of Epping.

"It is not for Essex Police to make a judgement about asylum or immigration policy. That is for Government. It is for Essex Police and the police more generally to make sure that people can go about their rights and business lawfully."

When pressed if he would resign over the incident, he said: "The issue is about effective police operation that keeps the communities of Epping safe.

Asked if one side had been given preferential treatment, Ben-Julian Harrington said: "No, I don’t accept that.

“The only protection that officers have given is to those lawful and law-abiding people, whether they are in that accommodation, whether they are the people of Epping or whether they are people who are standing there... with placards and banners wishing to make a very important and legitimate view, whichever your views about it.

"Where officers have intervened, that is because there has been disorder...We are not being partial in any way, shape or form."

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When asked what words he had to parents who were concerned about rioting, he said: "I say to those parents we will have a robust policing operation. Essex is safe. You will have hundreds of officers on duty."

The police chief was asked how many people from the local area attended the protest.

Harrington replies "a large proportion", adding: "But there have, as well, been people who have come in from elsewhere to express their views."

He continued: "What we have is those protesting the use of this hotel, and we’ve got those who are pro-that."

The protest comes after an Ethiopian asylum seeker, who was believed to have been housed at the hotel, appeared in Chelmsford Magistrates' Court accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl just days after arriving in the UK.

Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, denied trying to kiss a 14-year-old girl near a fish and chip shop in the town centre.

Kebatu is reported to have arrived in Britain eight days before the alleged assault.

He has denied the offences and has been remanded in custody before a two-day trial next month.