A mother-of-five has hit out at her arrest after holding a Union Jack flag outside council offices during an anti-migrant hotel protest in Epping.
Footage of Sarah White’s arrest outside Epping Forest District Council went viral on social media on Sunday night.
In the video, Ms White is seen displaying a Union Jack from the steps of the Civic Centre before being detained by a group of officers.
The arrest sparked outcry among fellow demonstrators, with footage showing boos directed at police, while one officer attempts to keep protesters away from the steps.
Essex Police reiterated Ms White was arrested on suspicion of breaching a Section 14 order that was in place and strongly rejected suggestions she was arrested for flying a Union flag.
Now, Ms White, who is a Reform UK member, has been released after spending 24 hours in police custody.
Ms White is one of the key organisers for the protests held outside The Bell Hotel, which has been used to house asylum seekers.
Read more: Who are the anti-migrant hotel protesters the Pink Ladies?
She described the arrest as an “absolute disgrace” and said she is now considering taking legal action against Essex Police.
In her first interview since leaving police custody, Ms White told the Daily Mail: “I was one click away from my arm being broken. It's disgusting.
“I believe I was targeted and they wanted to make an example of me.
“I had given a speech about how Epping residents will plan to refuse to pay our council tax because the migrants are still at the hotel.
“Minutes later, I placed the flag at the council office. At a lot of the protests we've been there. That's been part of it.”
Ms White claimed she was “manhandled by several officers” and was “still in a state of shock”.
Essex Police said her arrest was “categorically not for flying a Union Flag”, but because the Civic Centre was not an area where protesters were allowed.
Around 200 protesters gathered outside the council building on Sunday, after judges ruled to overturn a High Court order to shut down the asylum hotel. Three people were arrested.
The move has sparked backlash from local councillors and politicians, who argue it prioritises the rights of asylum seekers at The Bell Hotel over those of local residents—many of whom continue to protest.
The Bell Hotel has become the focal point of several demonstrations and counter-protests in recent weeks after an asylum seeker housed there was charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl last month.
He has denied the charges.
