Knowsley Council’s leader has condemned the “rumour mill” and “misinformation” swirling in Knowsley around asylum seekers housed at the Suites Hotel in Kirkby and demanded government action over conditions at the hotel.
Council leader Cllr Graham Morgan made the comments at a meeting of Knowsley Council’s cabinet tonight, February 22, in the aftermath of protests outside the hotel earlier this month which turned violent.
Cllr Morgan spoke of “so much rumour and speculation around the reasons for the protest” stating: “Like so many people in our borough I was saddened to see the events that unfolded on February 10th, which started off as peaceful protest but quickly turned into violence and disorder.
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“A further protest took place a week later and thankfully it concluded without issues.”
The Knowsley leader added the borough was a “welcoming and inclusive place” saying the events that took place “no way represents the views of the majority of people in the borough.”
He said he had spoken to many in the community who “like me are appalled by the actions of a minority of people.”
Cllr Morgan referred to the “speculation and in some cases completely made up stories are damning the reputation of Knowsley” that have been circulating on social media.
He added: “There have been rumours of incidences around other girls and about putting up around fences at schools to stop people looking in” and spoke of other rumours around young girls being offered alcohol.
He stated: “There is no evidence any of this happened, but sometimes people don’t let facts get in the way of a story.”
Condemning social media for “doing nothing to stop it” Cllr Morgan spoke of the many challenges of people who have sought refuge in the borough.
He said: “People have had to flee their homeland in fear for their lives. They left behind all their possessions, family members, friends, jobs, every familiar place they’ve ever known and they want a fresh start in safety, they simply want to avoid being killed in many cases.”
He condemned the government for its inaction over the placements at Suites, stating he had written to the immigration minister requesting an urgent meeting.
Cllr Morgan said: “I met Serco who are managing the contract at Suites Hotel on behalf of the Home Office. The original arrangement was to provide temporary accommodation for asylum seekers. 14 months on, many are in the same situation.
“I have requested an urgent meeting with the immigration minister to speak of my dissatisfaction with the arrangements that are not working at the Suites hotel.
“There should be better facilities for asylum seekers in Knowsley. They need government support and not abuse.”
Cllr Morgan’s views were echoed by other cabinet members, including Cllr Jayne Aston who said: “It is important we stop the rumour mill.
“Spreading misinformation is dangerous and putting unnecessary fear in our communities. The picture on social media does not reflect reality and we need to be ensuring accurate information is being shared.”
Cllr Tony Brennan spoke of visiting local residents in Kirkby in the aftermath of the recent events.
he said: “It has been useful to be able to address myths circulating in the community and to confirm there hadn’t been lots of incidents, which has been the main rumour and unfortunately appeared to have sparked recent events.”
Cllr Shelley Powell spoke of a “dedicated investigation team” with 15 arrests having already been made. One person has been charged in relation to the incident and is currently on remand.
She said investigators were carrying out inquiries, identifying people involved and speaking to witnesses, adding that authorities “ultimately will to bring to justice anybody who commits crimes of criminal behaviour and damage.”
She added: “It is important that the actions of a small minority do not create a false view of everything we are about here in Knowlsey.”
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