THIS is the moment a public meeting erupted into chaos as residents were told hundreds of migrants could soon be getting access to free private healthcare.
Nathan Evans, Tory leader of Trafford Council in Greater Manchester, told locals asylum seekers housed at the Cresta Court Hotel in Altrincham had been contracted to a private “doctors’ system”.
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The hotel is currently accommodating around 300 male migrants.
The conversion only came to light when thousands of bookings, including wedding receptions, were cancelled without warning.
Residents told the emergency public meeting, held last week at a local church, that the area’s health services are already “stretched”.
Footage of Councillor Evans’ response and the resultant uproar of some of those in attendance has since gone viral on social media.
Cllr Evans said: “They’re contracted with… a private doctors’ system.
“[That’s what] my understanding is. It’s not a statement of fact. That should mean they won’t be putting weight on our local [health services].”
The council leader went on to say he had only just found out that the healthcare plan for migrants had been contracted out.
He accused the Labour Government of a “wall of silence” over the situation.
The Government has a legal requirement to provide migrants with healthcare treatment.
During the meeting, Cllr Evans said he did not support housing single male migrants at the hotel – blaming it on a “ministerial decision”.
However, he added that it “keeps them out of our doctors” surgeries.
Speaking to the Express, he said: “We just had our Minor Injuries Unit at Altrincham Hospital closed. We’ve now 300 people on our doorstep.
“My understanding is that they are taking out a contract to support these people. Meanwhile, people here can’t get a doctor’s appointment.”
During the meeting, one woman questioned whether the hotel was “effectively an open prison“, reports GB News.
Community police officer Colin Dytor, in comments quoted by Sky News, said: “We can’t just lock people up who haven’t committed a crime.
“We live in a very tolerant and open society, and we have to continue that.”
A spokesperson for hotel operator Serco told the Mail “no decision” had been taken on “how healthcare will be provided” to those accommodated there.
The Sun has contacted Trafford Council for comment
