‘Stay away’ plea by MP over plans for more protests

‘LET'S DISCUSS THE ISSUES RATHER THAN INFLICT THIS MISERY AND STOKE DIVISION’

- By ZENA HAWLEY

A DERBYSHIRE MP has warned that people with no connection to Chesterfield could “turn a quiet community into a battleground” if they turn up to a planned antiasylum seeker protest in the town.

Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins has issued a statement ahead of the event outside the Sandpiper Hotel.

Mr Perkins issued a video expressing his disappointment that a counter-protest had been scheduled for the same time.

He said: “Over the last few months, Thave reached out to all those residents in the area around the Sandpiper Hotel, to understand the extent to which the occupation of the hotel was causing local residents’ problems.

“T have also visited the hotel and met officials from the Home Office and Serco there.