Shock footage from RAF Wethersfield in Essex shows asylum seekers partying under disco lights – sparking fury over Britain’s £6 million-a-day migrant accommodation. The videos, filmed 18 months ago but leaked this week, reveal men dancing, drinking, and brawling at the converted RAF base turned asylum centre.
‘Holiday Camp’ Lifestyle Sparks Outrage
The leaked clips show dozens of male migrants enjoying a nightclub vibe with disco balls and Arabic music. Meanwhile, a separate video captures a violent brawl involving a thrown drinks tray. Security staff are seen filming the antics rather than stopping them.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp blasted the scene: “Illegal immigrants who claim asylum should not be getting housed in cushty surroundings.” Philp vowed tougher policies to remove illegal arrivals within a week, saying, “Then they won’t be getting accommodated anywhere.”
Migration Watch UK chairman Alp Mehmet said the videos prove Britain is a soft touch. “The goings-on at Wethersfield not only shout ‘come on over’ but also highlight the soft touch we’ve become,” he said.
Lavish Facilities Spark Local Anger
RAF Wethersfield, a massive 500-acre site near Braintree, houses around 1,200 mainly single male asylum seekers. Locals describe the setup as prison-like, yet packed with amenities:
- Pool and ping-pong tables
- Gym and basketball courts
- Multi-faith centre
- Three meals a day
- Free minibuses to nearby towns
This access to free transportation contrasts wildly with delayed public buses for local taxpayers — stirring resentment among residents. Builder Jeff Temperley and others report frequent fights and police visits, with some locals afraid of groups of migrant men roaming their neighbourhood.
Escalating Costs and Political Backlash
The National Audit Office revealed emergency asylum sites like Wethersfield cost £46 million more than hotel stays. Since 2018, Channel crossings have topped 40,000, igniting fierce debate about Britain’s asylum policies.
Far-right activist Tommy Robinson fired up the controversy, tweeting: “£10 million a day housing unvetted migrant men. Veterans sleeping in doorways.”
Meanwhile, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s recent vow to overhaul the asylum system has only intensified scrutiny. The base operates over capacity, and Médecins Sans Frontières warns the harsh environment harms vulnerable migrants’ mental health.
What Next for RAF Wethersfield?
The Home Office defends the site as “adequate and functional,” but critics are not convinced. A local petition demands the base’s closure, while the council’s judicial review last year upheld its use.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer promised to shut Wethersfield before the 2024 election but instead expanded it — fuelling accusations of broken promises.
With viral videos exposing a party atmosphere while taxpayers foot the bill, RAF Wethersfield has become a flashpoint in Britain’s asylum crisis. Is it a humanitarian refuge or a reckless “holiday camp” encouraging illegal Channel crossings? The bitter debate rages on.
