Charges against a woman who unfurled a union flag from an east London council building have been dropped.
Sarah White, 40, arrived at Epping Forest District Council during a migrant protest after marching from the Bell Hotel on August 31.
After flying the flag from the steps of the building, she was led away by police officers.
Essex Police said White, of Chigwell, was arrested on suspicion of two offences under the Public Order Act 1986 and later charged.
The force said she was not arrested for unfurling the flag.
In a statement, Essex Police said: “These matters were due to be heard at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday October 15, but they have now been withdrawn.”
Following the announcement, White said her treatment had been “unjust”.
“I have now received confirmation from the Crown Prosecution Service that there will be no further action taken against me due to insufficient evidence,” she said in a post on X.
“The reason there is no evidence is simple: I did not commit a crime.
“This was an unlawful attempt to intimidate and silence ordinary people who dare to speak out. It is unacceptable that dissent is met with force and fear.
“I will not be silenced. I will continue to stand up – for our freedoms, for women, for children, and for this country.”
The Bell Hotel became the focal point of several protests and counter-protests in the summer after an asylum seeker housed there was charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl in Epping in July.
Epping Forest District Council’s bid to block the use of the Bell as accommodation for asylum seekers is to be heard at the High Court on Wednesday.
