A pro-migration protest group whose members were spotted being escorted by police to the migrant hotel in Essex receives funding from trade unions.
The demonstrators from Stand Up to Racism were involved in the unrest in Epping on July 17.
The group opposes Reform UK and has even set up an online fundraiser asking people for donations towards a campaign to "stop" the party.
Footage showed police walking alongside the counter-protestors - some of whom were masked - as they chanted and marched through the streets.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said police were "bussing" the activists to the scene of the protest, but Essex Police denied the claims.
Stand Up to Racism states on its website that "most major trade unions in Britain" are affiliated to it.
A spokesman has confirmed the group "receives funding from members, affiliates, including trade unions".
The president of Stand Up to Racism is Diane Abbott MP, who was suspended from the Labour Party last week after "doubling down" on Jewish racism claims.
The Hackney South and Stoke Newington MP had the whip removed in April 2023 after writing a letter to The Observer which argued that Irish, Jewish and Traveller people “undoubtedly experience prejudice” that is “similar to racism”.
Despite apologising for “any anguish caused” and admitting that the letter had been a draft published in error, Abbott said last week that she did not regret the controversial claims.
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X | Police were seen escorting pro-migrant protesters to the Epping hotelA Labour spokesman said: "Diane Abbott has been administratively suspended from the Labour Party, pending an investigation.
"We cannot comment further while this investigation is ongoing.”
In a post to social media following Abbott's suspension, Stand Up to Racism said: "The announcement of Diane Abbott MP suspension happened on same evening as another anti-refugee racist riot erupted outside the Bell Hotel in Epping Forest. Nothing said on riot.
"This government has lost its bearings on racism. Different communities experience different types of racism. All of it must be rooted out of society.
"Our job is to unite all these communities and all opposed to racism against all forms of racism. Our President Diane Abbott MP agrees with us."
PA | Diane Abbott is president of Stand Up to Racism
Daniel Kebede, general secretary of the National Education Union, is meanwhile the group's vice-president according to The Telegraph.
Kebede was among speakers to talk at the Stand Up to Racism annual trade union conference, "Countering the Far Right", held in London in March.
Protests were sparked in Epping last week after Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu was accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl just days after arriving in the UK.
The asylum seeker, who was understood to be housed in the Epping hotel, has denied the offences and was remanded in custody ahead of a two-day trial next month.
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|Police at the scene of the unrest in Epping
It led to 10 people being arrested, five of which have been charged as of Wednesday evening.
Essex Police has put a dispersal order in place in Epping until 8am on Friday.
It covers an area including the town centre, transport hubs and networks such as the tube station.
The order gives officers the power to direct anyone suspected of committing anti-social behaviour, or planning to do so, to leave the area or face arrest.