Women protest housing plan for 1,256 men, cite safety fears in Piddington

Plans to place 1,256 male asylum seekers on a disused military complex near Piddlington sparked outrage among locals, who organized a symbolic independence referendum as a protest. The following day, 133 women from the community sent an open letter to all female MPs, stating that the development would jeopardise their safety on the streets and in public venues. Women and Equalities Minister Ms Phillipson told Laura Kuenssberg that women’s fear of violence is justified and reflects broader cultural attitudes that need to change.

She emphasized that most violence occurs within intimate relationships but highlighted the toxic environment that underpins it, promising that women’s safety remains a top priority. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey defended the party’s stance, saying most migrants are not a threat and that the proper response is to speed up asylum decisions, not to block housing proposals. He also distanced the party from Reform UK’s opposition to the Piddlington project.