WIRRAL'S council leader has condemned protesters who gathered outside a hotel during a planned anti-refugee protest.
Around 60 people travelled to the Grove House Hotel in Wallasey at around 7pm on Friday evening (March 10) after a poster circulating social media advertised a “make our streets safe again” protest.
The poster displayed slogans stating: “refugees welcome illegal immigrants aren’t”, “enough is enough” and “close the borders to stop the boats and protect our women and children”.
Eye witness said that around 40 counter protesters challenged the group although there were no reports of trouble.
Last month saw asylum seekers living in the Suites Hotel in Knowsley targeted by violent protesters resulting in 15 arrests, officers injured and a police van set ablaze.
READ: Police van torched during disturbance near hotel in Knowsley
Council leader Janette Williamson described the demonstration as “shocking and disappointing”.
She told the Globe: “It was shocking and disappointing to see that people travelled to Wirral and chose to spend their Friday night outside this hotel. We are a welcoming, inclusive place and I know many individuals and groups within our communities have been working to help refugees across Wirral.
“It's worth noting too that there was a number of counter-protestors, and I’d like to thank our officers and the police for their work to ensure it was a peaceful evening.
“And, of course, none of this has been helped by cynical conservative government rhetoric, whipping up resentments while repeatedly missing its own targets to process applications. Suella Braverman has again proved that she could not be less suited to any government role, let alone home secretary.”
In December last year, the Globe reported that plans had been submitted to turn the once popular hotel into a hostel for a temporary period of 36 months.
READ: Plans submitted to turn popular Wallasey hotel into hostel
Police officers could be seen lining the street on Grove Road as protesters and counter-protesters could be seen outside the hotel. A spokesperson from Merseyside Police told the Globe that no arrests were made and that the protest “passed without incident”.
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