Shock footage from RAF Wethersfield in Essex has erupted into a furious row. Asylum seekers are seen partying under disco lights, sparking outrage over Britain’s eye-watering £6 million-a-day migrant accommodation costs. The videos, filmed 18 months ago but leaked this week, show men dancing, drinking, and brawling at the former RAF base turned asylum centre.
Asylum Centre or Party Palace?
The clips reveal dozens of male migrants enjoying a nightclub vibe complete with disco balls and Arabic music. In one video, a brutal brawl breaks out, featuring a flying drinks tray. Security staff watch and film the chaos instead of stepping in.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp slammed the scenes: “Illegal immigrants who claim asylum should not be getting housed in cushty surroundings.” Philp vowed tough new measures to kick out illegal arrivals within a week. “Then they won’t be getting accommodated anywhere.”
Migration Watch UK chairman Alp Mehmet said: “The goings-on at Wethersfield not only shout ‘come on over’ but also highlight the soft touch we’ve become.”
Lavish Facilities Spark Fury Among Locals
The sprawling 500-acre RAF Wethersfield near Braintree houses around 1,200 mainly single male asylum seekers. Despite locals describing it as prison-like, the centre boasts luxury amenities:
- Pool and ping-pong tables
- Gym and basketball courts
- Multi-faith centre
- Three meals a day
- Free minibuses to nearby towns
The free transport contrasts sharply with delayed local buses paid for by taxpayers, stirring resentment. Builder Jeff Temperley and others complain of frequent fights and police visits, with some locals fearing groups of migrant men roaming the streets.
Sky-High Costs and Political Firestorm
The National Audit Office revealed emergency asylum sites like Wethersfield cost a staggering £46 million more than hotel accommodation. Since 2018, over 40,000 have crossed the Channel, fuelling fierce debate on Britain’s asylum policies.
Far-right activist Tommy Robinson tweeted: “£10 million a day housing unvetted migrant men. Veterans sleeping in doorways.”
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood’s pledge to overhaul the asylum system has sparked even more scrutiny. The site is operating beyond capacity, with Médecins Sans Frontières warning the harsh conditions damage vulnerable migrants’ mental health.
What’s Next for RAF Wethersfield?
The Home Office insists the facility is “adequate and functional,” but critics disagree. A local petition calls for closure, while a judicial review last year backed 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 on the taxpayer’s dime, RAF Wethersfield has become a lightning rod in Britain’s asylum crisis. Is it a humanitarian refuge or a reckless “holiday camp” encouraging illegal crossings? The bitter battle rages on.
