While supporting the motion, Jaymey McIvor, for Reform UK, said it was a “great shame” more councillors had not visited the protests.
He said: “The people of Epping are worried, they’re scared. And what they want in that scenario is to be listened to.”
McIvor went on to repeat claims, refuted by Essex Police, that “far left thuggery were escorted to the Bell Hotel” – to which several other members shouted responses including “fake news” and “misinformation”.
The rest of McIvor’s statement condemned violence and called for the closure of the hotel, as he returned to his seat he was greeted with a standing ovation from people in the public gallery.
Liberal Democrat councillor Janet Whitehouse, who is Epping Town mayor, provided some support and sympathy with asylum seekers, saying: “We don’t know the situation of the people placed there.
“It’s very sad that the picture of Epping being seen nationally and internationally is one of violence.”