A Green Party councillor has ignited fury after urging local children in East Sussex to make Valentine’s Day cards for adult male asylum seekers housed in a former military training camp. Critics slammed it as a safeguarding nightmare.
MP Slams ‘Highly Irresponsible’ Valentine’s Card Campaign
Conservative MP Nus Ghani tore into the project, branding it “highly irresponsible.” She warned organisers showed “no regard for safeguarding” by encouraging kids to make cards for “single adult men.”
Ghani added there is “widespread concern locally” about whether the plan is appropriate at all.
Green Councillor Defends Valentine’s Card Drive
Anne Cross, a Green councillor on East Sussex County Council, launched the card-making campaign with her grandchildren. They crafted Valentine’s cards to welcome asylum seekers at the former Crowborough Training Camp.
The site began housing men on 22 January as part of the government’s push to reduce expensive migrant hotel stays.
“Getting to know people and hearing their stories dispels fear,” said Cross. “My grandchildren and I painted some Valentine’s Cards at the weekend, which we are going to be presenting to the men at Crowborough as a welcome.”
She urged locals to “share the love” and encourage community engagement with the asylum seekers.
Local Residents Fear for Safety and Security
The Crowborough camp will house up to 500 single men aged 18-65. The first 27 arrived in late January, sparking protests over security worries and the suitability of the site.
Kim Bailey, chair of Crowborough Shield, blasted Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood for pushing the plan “under the cover of darkness.” She slammed converting a cadet training facility with “flimsy fences” and no proper security into an asylum centre.
“It’s not secure at all. She’s taken away this facility from young people to put in a few hundred asylum seekers,” said Bailey. “This facility’s population will rotate every 2-3 months, meaning even more asylum seekers will cycle through the town.”
Government Cites Costs and Security Measures
The Home Office says migrant hotel stays cost taxpayers over £9 million daily across the UK. Using sites like Crowborough aims to slash those expenses.
Officials insist the camp is self-contained with on-site services to ease pressure on local resources.
But the Home Office has stayed silent on concerns over the card campaign and safeguarding raised by MP Nus Ghani. Meanwhile, Anne Cross remains defiant, pushing for community unity despite swelling backlash.
