Crowborough Asylum Seeker Protest Leads to No Confidence Vote for Katy Bourne
A protest against housing asylum seekers in Crowborough has culminated in a no confidence motion against Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner Katy Bourne. The motion, which passed with a vote of 10-4, reflects significant discontent among council members regarding Bourne’s impartiality in her role.
The censure, which received cross-party backing from representatives of the Green, Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Conservative parties, was prompted by Bourne’s attendance at a protest on November 8, opposing the Home Office’s decision to house 540 men at the Crowborough Training Camp. Critics argue that her involvement in the protest undermines her responsibilities as a public official.
The Sussex Police and Crime Panel’s motion stated that Bourne’s actions had brought her office into disrepute. Following the vote, Bourne expressed her discontent, claiming she felt “harassed simply for carrying out my duties as commissioner.” She has since instructed solicitors to pursue a judicial review against the panel’s decision, arguing that the censure was unlawful.
A spokeswoman for Bourne’s office stated, “The PCP has been invited to withdraw the censure motion and to issue a public apology to the Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner for censuring her unlawfully.” This ongoing dispute highlights the tensions surrounding the handling of asylum seekers in the area.
The decision to house asylum seekers at the Crowborough Training Camp has sparked multiple protests since it was announced in January. The camp is set to accommodate over 500 men awaiting decisions on their asylum applications, a move that has been met with significant opposition from local campaign groups, including Crowborough Shield.
Bourne, who has held the commissioner role since 2012, has faced scrutiny for her social media engagement regarding the issue, claiming her comments were made in a personal capacity and some were misinterpreted. However, the panel’s motion, while non-binding, serves as a formal reprimand that may impact her political future.
As the situation develops, observers are keenly watching how Bourne’s legal challenge will unfold and what implications it may have for her position. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the next steps in this ongoing controversy.