False Claims Spark Outrage and Fear
PAUL MCLAUGHLIN
A number of inflammatory posters appeared last weekend outside 67 Sedlescombe Road South in St Leonards, sparking a wave of controversy on social media. The notices, which included “Stop the Boats” and “Stop the Invasion” were interspersed with Union Jack flags.
The main notice, which incorporated an official-looking Hastings Borough Council (HBC) logo to give it the impression of being a direct communication from the Council, falsely claimed the property had been “bought for £530,000 and is undergoing a 21-week refurbishment costing six figures to house 7 illegal immigrants.”
Images of the posters were widely circulated across social media, triggering overtly racist comments and accusations of dishonesty against the Council. One Facebook user posted: “it is interesting how HBC have no money yet can afford one million quid of our money to house 7 illegal immigrants and likely 6 figures per year to run the place…disgusting.” Her post was liked and shared many times.
Two of the people who commented on the post have posted elsewhere in support of Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, aka Tommy Robinson, and the Reform UK Party. One claimed “it was common knowledge HBC was ringing around to ask landlords to house illegal immigrants.” The other said they had “contacted HBC and asked if immigrants were being housed in empty units being refurbished and [the council] said yes.” Both of these comments were subsequently deleted.
Council Leader Glenn Haffenden called for the post to be removed “as it’s completely untrue.” The post was taken down shortly afterwards but it is not known whether this was done by Facebook or by the poster herself.
Cllr Haffenden said he was “absolutely appalled” by the posts and the comments. “Unfortunately, with social media, somebody writes something, and it suddenly becomes true. The posters that went up used HBC logos, so it looked like we as a council were advertising that. That was not the case.” He added that the responsibility to house illegal immigrants “lies with the Home Office, and not with local councils.”
He confirmed that the property was bought in May 2024 after a successful council bid with the government-funded Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP) to provide much needed housing with additional support for former rough sleepers. The SHAP funding covered most of the project costs, with a contribution from the council’s own housing acquisition programme. Cllr Haffenden said the council would not have been able to pursue the project without the SHAP funding.
The property requires significant works to be completed to bring it up to the council’s standards and to ensure that conservation-area requirements are met. The aim is to complete these works this summer. The Council Leader said the total costs of projects delivered under the council’s housing acquisition programmes are commercially sensitive.
Cllr Haffenden said he was “excited” that the Council has recently acquired several properties in addition to the one on Sedlescombe Road South as part of a wider strategy to tackle local homelessness, reduce the need for expensive temporary accommodation, and provide more stable housing options for vulnerable local residents. “These amazing developments will help local people,” and the SHAP programme funding will “include money to pay for support workers who will be directly employed by the council.”
Jenny Sutton, Secretary of Hastings Stand Up To Racism
The Council Leader indicated that he would ask his communications team to look at putting together a Q&A document “as part of efforts to clarify the facts and to counter ongoing misinformation.”
Jenny Sutton, the Secretary of the Hastings Stand Up To Racism campaign, condemned the posters and warned of the devastating effects such overtly racist attacks can have on local communities. “They create fear and division, and lead to heightened anxiety among residents, particularly those from minority backgrounds, who may feel unsafe in their own homes. It is not immigrants who slashed NHS funding, privatised housing, or froze wages – it’s a political and economic system that puts profit before people. Our community showed in the summer that it is proudly anti-racist and we say loud and clear, refugees are welcome here!”
Cllr Haffenden said he was not aware of a police investigation into what happened but called upon anyone who has any information they would like to share to contact: [email protected].
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