00:00Do you agree with the Home Office's submission that the rights of asylum seekers are more
00:06significant, more material than the interests of local populations? It is about a balance of
00:13rights. When people come to this country and claim asylum, we have a responsibility as a
00:17government to assess their cases and to process them. For those who have got a clear right to
00:22be here, for those who have evidenced what they are facing in terms of persecution, refugees,
00:27then that will be decided. Where they don't, then we will take action to remove people from
00:31the country. So we do have a responsibility to process those cases and yes, to provide
00:36put people in accommodation. And the responsibility to those asylum seekers is more important than
00:39the responsibility to those who live locally. Our responsibility to those who live locally
00:43is also important as well. And I understand, I completely understand why many people in
00:49places like Epping, where hotels have opened up, feel incredibly frustrated about that.
00:53They have a right, of course, to demonstrate lawfully and peacefully. Of course, where it
00:58crosses a line, that isn't consistent with our longstanding traditions in this country of
01:04respect for the rule of law, respect for the police and our responsibility to make sure that
01:09we have safe communities for everybody living there.
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