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Braintree District Council has lost a High Court bid to prevent asylum seekers being housed at a former RAF airbase.

The council wanted to halt the proposed use of Wethersfield Airfield to accommodate up to 1,700 male asylum seekers for up to 180 days each.

Giving a ruling in London on Friday, Mr Justice Waksman concluded that the court did not have the legal power to grant the council’s application for an injunction, and thus ruled in favour of the government.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD)-owned land was one of the sites identified when immigration minister Robert Jenrick unveiled plans last month to house asylum seekers in disused military bases to cut the £6m a day being spent on hotels.

The local authority wanted the judge to grant an injunction preventing the use of the 6.5-hectare site, arguing proposals would breach planning control.

It rejected the government’s argument that the need to accommodate more asylum seekers is an “emergency” under planning law.

The Home Office and MoD opposed the injunction, with government lawyers asking for the case to be thrown out.

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The judge said the Home Office estimated there were 109,000 asylum seekers in need of accommodation and support as of the end of last month. That included 48,000 being housed in hotels.

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Paul Brown KC, for the Home Office, told the court a number of factors had contributed to issues around accommodating asylum seekers, including the impact of Covid, the Afghanistan relocation scheme and war in Ukraine.

The barrister argued that the current situation amounted to an “emergency” as it risked people being left homeless and destitute, and the government would be in breach of its duties to asylum seekers.

In a statement issued after the ruling, a Braintree District Council spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that the High Court did not grant us with an injunction to restrain the Home Office from their proposals and have determined that the Home Office is permitted to rely upon the provisions set out within class Q.

“We remain of the view that Wethersfield Airfield is an unsuitable site, given the lack of capacity in local services, its isolated location, the size of the site, and the fact that the scale of the development proposed could have a significant impact upon the local community, and want to thank all those who have worked with us, including local residents, community groups, parish councils and MPs, up until this point.

A Home Office spokesperson said: “We welcome the judgment. Delivering accommodation on surplus military sites will provide cheaper and more suitable accommodation for those arriving in small boats whilst helping to reduce the use of costly hotels.

“Not only are accommodation sites more affordable for taxpayers, but they are also more manageable and orderly for communities, thanks to healthcare and catering facilities on site, 24/7 security and the purpose-built basic, safe and secure accommodation they provide.”

Other sites proposed for use include RAF Scampton in Lincolnshire – the former home of the Dambusters RAF squadron. Northeye prison in Bexhill, East Sussex, is also set to be used.

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Murder arrest after woman stabbed to death in Enfield – as victim named

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Murder arrest after woman stabbed to death in Enfield - as victim named

A woman who was stabbed to death in north London has been named by police – as a man was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Pamela Munro, 45, was found with a stab wound and died at the scene in Ayley Croft, Enfield, on Saturday evening, the Metropolitan Police said.

A 29-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder on Monday and is in custody, the force added.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil John said: “Investigating officers have worked relentlessly across the weekend to investigate the circumstances around Pamela’s death.

“We continue to support her family who are understandably devastated.”

GVs from SN footage on 20/04/2025 at scene of murder on 19/04/2025 of woman at Gainsborough House, Ayley Croft, Enfield in north London.
Ingest 25 NM25 SKY SAF ENFIELD MURDER GVS ENFIELD 2045
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Police at the scene at Ayley Croft in Enfield

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The Met Police has asked anyone with information or who was driving through Ayley Court between 6.30pm and 7.30pm on Saturday and may have dashcam footage to contact the force.

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‘British man’ dies after being dragged out of police station in Ecuador – reports

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'British man' dies after being dragged out of police station in Ecuador - reports

A “British man” has died after being beaten and set on fire by a mob in Ecuador, according to reports by media in the South American country.

According to reports, the man – who has not been officially identified – had been detained by police after being accused of being involved in a fatal shooting.

Ecuadorian news outlet Ecuavisa reported that the man had been taken to a police station Playas del Cuyabeno, a remote village in the Amazon rainforest.

While there, a group broke into the station and took the man away. He was then set on fire in the street, it is reported, and died from his burns.

Playas del Cuyabeno
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The incident reportedly happened in the Playas del Cuyabeno area of Sucumbios province

Another local report, from EXTRA.ec, said that specialist police units had been slow to arrive due to the geographical conditions of the area – which is accessible by river.

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According to reports, police officers at the station apparently decided they could not intervene when the mob arrived out of concerns for their own safety.

It is understood the UK Foreign Office is following up reports about the incident and working with local authorities to confirm the details.

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Three men charged over death of woman struck by van at golf course after police chase

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Three men charged over death of woman struck by van at golf course after police chase

Three men have been charged with manslaughter over the death of a woman who was struck by a van at a golf course following a police pursuit.

Suzanne Cherry died in hospital four days after she was struck by the vehicle on the morning of 11 April.

Two police cars had been following a grey Nissan van in Lichfield, Birmingham, after receiving reports of suspicious activity, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said.

However, they stopped chasing the van when it went off-road and up an embankment at Aston Wood Golf Club, where it hit Ms Cherry, of Aldridge, Walsall.

West Midlands Police said John McDonald, 51, of Bloxwich, has been charged with manslaughter, assault by beating and failing to stop a vehicle when directed by a constable.

Johnny McDonald, 22, of Dudley, and Brett Delaney, 34, of Darlaston, Walsall, have also been charged with manslaughter.

They are due to appear at North Staffordshire Justice Centre on 21 April.

Three other men who had been arrested have been bailed with conditions.

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Following Ms Cherry’s death, her husband paid tribute to his “beautiful wife” and described how he watched in “helpless horror” during the incident.

“Suzanne leaves a legacy and an unfillable void in the lives of her mother Maureen, her three adult children, two step-children and countless others from her work, her sporting activities and social circle,” he added.

The IOPC continues to investigate the circumstances prior to the crash.

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