The police force facing scrutiny over its handling of protests outside a migrant hotel in Epping is set to hold a press conference.

Senior figures from Essex Police are expected to answer questions about the decisions they have taken after days of volatile demonstrations. 

It comes after Nigel Farage called for the resignation of Ben-Julian Harrington, the chief constable of Essex Police. The Reform UK leader said footage of police officers escorting pro-migrant protesters to the hotel was “absolutely disgraceful”. 

He said in a video posted on X: “Heads must roll. There is no way the chief constable or the police and crime commissioner in Essex can stay in their posts. This is a disgrace.” 

He posted: “There is no way Chief Constable BJ Harrington can stay in position.”

The force admitted overnight that it had escorted pro-migrant protesters to the Bell Hotel in Epping.

It had initially denied that it had brought activists from the group Stand up to Racism to the site amid claims by anti-migrant protesters that the arrival of counter-demonstrators sparked violence on July 17.

It backtracked after being shown footage of the protesters being escorted by officers from a nearby station to the hotel.

There have been a series of protests outside the Bell Hotel after Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, a 38-year-old asylum seeker, was charged with sexual assault.

The migrant, who denies the charges, is alleged to have attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl.