Nigel Farage has said "heads must roll" after footage emerged seemingly showing Essex Police escorting counter-protesters towards a hotel hosting asylum seekers.

Essex Police had initially denied that it had brought campaigners from the group Stand Up to Racism to the Epping hotel amid claims by anti-migrant protesters that the arrival of counter-demonstrators sparked the violence on July 17.

Residents living near the hotel said the decision to escort counter-protesters towards the hotel had made violence inevitable.

Assistant Chief Constable at Essex Police, Stuart Hooper, said: "We have a reasonable duty to protect people who want to exercise their rights.

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"In terms of bringing people to the hotel, the police have a duty to facilitate free assembly.

"We would only ever take people away from protest if we felt there was an immediate threat to people or property, to free up police resources, to protect others, or to prevent additional violence.

"In Epping, officers took all three of those into account before making their decisions."

Now, Farage said migrant protesters were moved there "to force a confrontation" as he called for the chief constable to resign.

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In a video posted to social media, Farage said: "Initially they denied that it had ever happened in the first place...I didn't want to believe this had happened and then I saw the video.

"It's an absolute disgrace, and the police's priorities need urgently looking at."

GB News National Reporter Charlie Peters later asked Essex Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington whether his officers facilitated left-wing protesters in Epping.

Charlie said: "Your colleague, Stuart Hooper, said 'in terms of bringing people to the hotel, the police have a duty to facilitate free assembly'.

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Protesters gathered in Epping outside a migrant hotel

"The force initially said it did not bring anyone to the hotel, but your colleague seems to suggest that had happened after footage emerged."

Harrington responded: "Under the law of this country as it stands, people have the freedom to assembly and to freedom of speech... There is a duty upon policing to allow people to exercise their right of assembly and protest.

"That is a right under that Human Rights Act. People came under their own volition; they walked up to that protest to make sure we understand that threat and manage and deal with the risks and issues, as we did outside the hotel, as we did on the high street."

Former Epping Forrest MP Eleanor Laing also accused a "particular political party" of being responsible for a "considerable amount of misinformation" about the asylum hotel.

The police have imposed a dispersal order for Epping from Thursday at 2pm till Friday at 8am

Now known as Baroness Laing of Elderslie, the Tory peer called for all those in the area to "stop inciting violence".

Lady Laing noted: "It should be noted that, amongst the misinformation that is out there, both of the men who have been accused of serious crimes are now in custody awaiting trial. Our justice system is working.

"It is the duty of elected representatives, all elected representatives, regardless of which party they represent, to do their best to encourage community cohesion and to calm down a potentially riotous situation.

"The considerable amount of misinformation by a particular political party is unfortunate and is working against community cohesion."

While Lady Laing did not explicitly name Reform UK, Farage claims about counter-protesters being "bussed in" had been called "misinformation" by an Essex Police spokesman.

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Essex Police has since issued a dispersal order in Epping from 2pm on Thursday until 8am on Friday following the protests.

The order will cover the town centre, transport hubs and networks such as the tube station.

It will give officers the power to direct anyone suspected of committing anti-social behaviour, or planning to do so, to leave the area or face arrest.

Chief Superintendent Simon Anslow said: "We have identified a small group of people who are intent on committing anti-social behaviour, which is not acceptable. Where there has been previous protest activity, we have seen sustained anti-social behaviour in addition to any disorder that we have dealt with during the protest itself.

"This order will not prevent lawful and peaceful protest, but ensure people are safe both during and after the planned activity. We are also considering the use of other powers available to us to ensure people can carry out their democratic right to protest safely.

"Our message is clear - if you're planning to come to Essex to commit crime or disorder, don't bother. You will be dealt with."