Scampton campaigners will ‘fight to bitter end’
CAMPAIGNERS have said they will “fight to the bitter end” despite the council losing its legal bid against housing 2,000 asylum seekers at RAF Scampton.
The High Court ruled on Wednesday, December 6, that Government plans to use the former air base as a processing facility for asylum seekers were not unlawful.
The Home Office has insisted its plans for the Dambusters’ historic home are suitable, even if many disagree. The fight for Scampton has brought its community together and committed activists have been camping outside of the empty air base for months, undeterred by setbacks.
They fly the British flag above the gates and invite passing drivers not just to honk their horns in support but to pull up and come inside the tents for a chat. The language used on the signs is evocative, from “Stop the boats” and “Scampton lab rats” to the simple, more universal “[PM Rishi] Sunak sucks”.
The scene was no different the morning after the High Court announced its decision. Neither the bitterness of the rain nor defeat in London was enough to break their spirits, as they huddled around a fire for warmth and fixed up placards.
Resident Anthony Brown, 44, has been there for almost 60 days and doesn’t see himself leaving any time soon. He said: “The ruling is very, very, very disappointing. We were hoping it would go for us, and now we’re hoping that the district council does appeal. But it doesn’t mean we’re going to leave. We’re staying until the bitter end. We’ll never be deterred.”
Trevor Young, the leader of West Lindsey District Council, said: “The council remains firmly of the view that the site of RAF Scampton is not suitable for accommodating 2,000 single adult male asylum seekers.
“It was important for us to challenge the decision taken by the government in March of this year and we made a strong case to the court. We understand the concerns and frustrations of our community.
“I am incredibly grateful for the support the council has received from our communities, residents, MPs, businesses, and our partners, throughout the process. We will continue to work hard to protect the £300 million investment proposal that is on the table.” Mr Brown defined the “bitter end” as the point at which the Home Office “gives up” its ambitions for Scampton. People visit the camp from all across the country and have done for the past seven months.
The 44-year-old added, on an especially harsh and wet morning, he was manning the fort with people from Birmingham and Wales. He said RAF Scampton has a nationwide appeal due to its links to the Second World War and called it one of the most famous places in the country.
Anthony Brown
It is best known as the home of the Dambusters, or the 617 Squadron, led by Wing Commander Guy Gibson. Using the innovative bouncing bomb, the squadron flew several successful missions against the Nazis and was responsible for the destruction of the Mohr Dam in 1943.
Now, 80 years on, the people of Scampton believe it’s their turn to fight. One of Mr Brown’s fellow campaigners, an RAF veteran who wished to only be identified as Sandra, said she was determined to defend the base’s heritage.
She called the High Court ruling ‘disgusting’. She said: “The Government has a different agenda to us. If the people of this county don’t want it, then that’s what they need to listen to. Not the Government saying, ‘No, it will go ahead’. These people will all need feeding and will need shelter. If we can provide it for them, why can’t we provide it for our own?”
That uncertainty dominates people’s emotions. Residents in the nearby village of Scampton say they feel anxious about what the real-term impacts of the scheme will be.
Resident Catherine Nicholson, 55, said the situation was “unfortunate - to put it politely”. She raised concerns over possible clashes caused by keeping 2,000 people in one place, drawing on her experience with young people as a teacher.
She said: “People are trying their hardest and hoping the worst doesn’t happen.” She added: “No one I know wants it to go ahead. They won’t tell us when the first arrivals are due. People here feel abandoned.”
Others, however, feel differently. Fellow resident Michael Winterbottom, 92, said: “I think the Government are right. They’ve got to save our money. I reckon the scheme should go through.”
The council remains of the view that the site of RAF Scampton is not suitable.