John Baron MP, Councillors Tony Ball and Terri Sargent and local residents meet with Dale Farm travellers

Peaceful resolution sought but law must apply equally to everyone

Today, John Baron MP, Councillors Tony Ball and Terri Sargent, and local residents hosted a meeting at Parliament with traveller representatives from Dale Farm, Crays Hill. The purpose was to try and see if anything more could be done to find a peaceful resolution to the forthcoming clearance of the site following a High Court judgement that the travellers should vacate the illegal encampment. The attendees are listed in the notes to editors.

John and Tony said:

“This was an earnest attempt on our part to avoid confrontation whilst ensuring the law is enforced. We asked the travellers to move off peacefully as no-one wants to see the misery of a forced eviction. The travellers are now considering this, knowing that there can be no slippage to the Council’s timetable.”

“They pointed out they had nowhere to go. We then highlighted their previous offer made to Basildon Council to move off in return for £2million. ”

“They wanted to discuss other possible sites within the District but this is subject to the Council’s normal planning regulations – there can be no special deals.”

“In order to ensure fairness for all, the law must apply equally to everyone. The law Courts have decided that the site must be cleared and no-one should doubt the political will of Basildon Council and the MP to see this through.”

“We have agreed to meet again in a month’s time.”

The meeting was attended by John Baron MP, Councillor Tony Ball [Leader, Basildon Council], Dawn French [Head of Environment and Community Services, Basildon Council], Mr Mike Beiley [local resident], Councillor Andrew Peake [Chairman, Ramsden Crays Parish Council], Mr John Garrett [Deputy Chair, Ramsden Crays Residents Association], Councillor Terri Sargent [Borough Councillor], Richard Sheridan [President of the Gypsy Council and chair of the Dale Farm Residents Association], Cllr Candy Sheridan, Mary Ann McCarthy [Dale Farm resident], Kathleen McCarthy [Dale Farm resident], Grattan Puxon, [Secretary, Dale Farm Residents Association], Father Dan Mason (Wickford parish), Ann Kobayashi (Wickford resident)