DALE FARM

NICK HERBERT

FROM THE DAILY STAR

PHOTO  GUARDIAN.CO.UK

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/view/183209/Gypsies-saved-by-cash-row/


GYPSIES SAVED BY CASH ROW

BY DAILY STAR REPORTER

THE Big Fat Gypsy eviction at Britain’s biggest traveller site has stalled because the penny-pinching Government has not bankrolled police for the job.

Locals are furious that the ten-year saga to turf out the travellers, some of whom starred in the Channel 4 hit Big Fat Gypsy Weddings, has been put off.

Families living illegally on green belt land at Dale Farm in Essex have been issued with a 28-day notice to quit.

Basildon Council has £8million in its coffers for the operation but the Home Office has so far failed to come up with the cash the police say they need.

Sources say Home Office minister Nick Herbert wanted Essex Police to pay as much as £10.5million.

More than £3million has been set aside but much more is needed for a “worst case scenario”.

Police have promised £5million but they want the Home Office to match that.

A police authority spokesman said: “It’s been decided negotiations with the Home Office would continue.

“At the moment there has been no commitment from the Government.

“The minister has asked the police to reassess its budget to see if they could fund the whole operation.

“It’s not a good time to be asking for funding.”