Andy Burnham accused of 'forcing' 1,250 illegal migrants on Piddington community despite 'zero' consultation
The chair of Piddington Parish Council has said accused the Government of failing to consult local people and is "forcing" them to accept a camp for migrants in their community.
Speaking to GB News, Tim McNally stressed that preparation has already begun for the camp with "no consultation", and before a security review has taken place.
The tiny village near Bicester in Oxfordshire has been earmarked to house 1,250 migrants in a former MoD base, which currently has no water, electricity or living quarters.
The Piddington community has a small population of just 350 people, and has no pub, shops or local amenities for the asylum seekers to use.
Sharing the latest update on the protest by the villagers, Mr McNally told GB News: "I've been approached by every single media outlet on this earth. They've been able to call me, they've been able to e-mail me, but I've had zero from No10 in terms of how we're getting on.
"Piddington is basically the tip of the spear for this entire subject across this nation. I've had to use the branding of Piddington to basically help people understand, yes, we formalise this as an environment, but we've got to do this across the whole of the nation because it's not just about Piddington, it's about how the Government is going to treat its people without consideration."
The villagers are also holding a referendum on self-determination in September, in further protest against the camp.
The council chair explained: "The referendum will happen on the September 15, which coincidentally is on the same day as the anniversary for the Battle of Britain, and at the time I didn't realise, but my goodness, how things align when things are good."
Mr McNally criticised the Government for going ahead with the plans despite "no consultation" with residents, and "forcing" the camp on them.
He said: "They're forcing this through so that no one can be consulted, even the police haven't been consulted on this matter. They're moving the pods in next week and they haven't even published the proposal, that doesn't make sense.
"We've got resources coming in, electric, water, sewage have been ready to be plumbed in from the First of September. I'm finding all of this out - not from the Government - they're just not looking after us, but no one's coming to us and saying 'you need to prepare for this'."
Having visited another migrant camp in Wethersfield, Mr McNally questioned whether the villagers need to "build compounds" around their homes to keep them safe.
He stressed: "We haven't done a security review for the village. Have we got to put a compound around our home?
"Having been to Wethersfield and heard those people who said these men are basically walking through their properties at four in the morning, what on earth are we doing to our communities?"
Mr McNally continued: "We're happy to take our fair share, absolutely, send two migrants to us and that represents a percentage of our community. 1,250 migrants to us is a 350 per cent increase of our community.
"It's about proportionality. We're not shy of taking our responsibility and helping people out and and helping them forward. What we're shy about is the fact that how are they going to assimilate into our community?
"How are 1,250 men going to assimilate into our community? I think we're going to have to assimilate into theirs, that's what's happening here now as a consequence."
Mr McNally concluded: "I'm just going to say to you, the Government better listen. MPs had better listen. The 15th of September is our referendum day, but watch how many others come with us."
In a statement, a Home Office spokesman told GB News: "The Home Office maintains that discussions about the site remain in early stages and will include engagement with local stakeholders and communities.
"The Government argues that the plan to move migrants to military sites is fairer because it takes the burden off poorer communities where many asylum seekers are currently housed in hotels."