NEWS: Councillors pelted with eggs during asylum seekers debate as council offices vandalised

Councillors were “violently intimidated” and pelted with eggs during a heated meeting on asylum seekers in Kent, with significant damage later discovered inside the council building.

The incident took place on Wednesday evening as Swale Borough Council debated whether to declare the area a “District of Sanctuary” for asylum seekers. People wearing balaclavas were in the public gallery and threw eggs and other objects at councillors, MPs were told.

Labour MP for Sittingbourne and Sheppey, Kevin McKenna, raised the incident in the House of Commons, describing it as an “attack on democracy itself”. He said councillors were threatened during the meeting and that the council offices were left unusable the following day.

The council later confirmed that toilets and lifts were vandalised, and that deliberate flooding caused water to pour through ceilings in several parts of the building, forcing its closure and preventing residents from accessing services.

Kent Police said officers attended a reported disturbance at the East Street council offices and are investigating criminal damage and a common assault. No arrests have yet been made.

Commons leader Sir Alan Campbell and Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle both condemned the violence, stressing that intimidation of elected representatives is unacceptable.

A Swale Borough Council spokesperson said CCTV footage is being examined and that the council will support any prosecutions brought by police. Witnesses have been urged to come forward.