Asylum seekers not being housed in former pub, Reform states
A senior Reform UK councillor has again confirmed private flats in the former Eagle and Child pub are not being used to house asylum seekers, after rumours were spread online.
Councillor Rachel Reed, who represents Conisbrough, has called for greater transparency around premises which are being used by the Home Office in order to combat social media misinformation.
She said: “I understand why residents asked these questions. Immigration and asylum accommodation are highly emotive local issues, particularly when communities feel decisions are being made without consultation or transparency.
“The Council has stated that the building contains nine private flats and is not being used by the Home Office, Mears Housing, the Council or St Leger Homes for any specific accommodation scheme.”
Coun Reed, who is the only councillor to have served in the top teams of all three Reform UK leaders, said the confirmation ‘answers the immediate question’ about the property.
She added: “It does not diminish the wider concerns surrounding asylum accommodation, pressure on local services and decisions being taken without communities being properly informed.
“Residents deserve facts and transparency. I will continue asking the questions they want answered.”
It is the second statement Coun Reed has shared on the issue this month, following a social media post claiming ‘unvetted males’ were being housed in the former pub with ‘bills all included’.