On Friday evening, Wethersfield village hall in north Essex was packed with concerned local residents firing questions at Home Office officials about the potential imminent arrival of hundreds of asylum seekers. A military airfield close to the picturesque and remote village has been earmarked by the Home Office to accommodate up to 1,700 asylum seekers as an alternative to hotel use.
At the meeting, one resident asked attendees who were opposed to the plans to stand up. All 160 locals in the room leapt to their feet.
