MP attacks Juncker over Essex comment

Robert Halfon is the MP for Harlow in Essex

An MP has criticised EU Commission chief Jean-Claude Juncker for remarks about Polish workers being attacked and "murdered in the streets of Essex".

Mr Juncker's comments follow the death of Arek Jozwik last month after a fight in Harlow, and an attack on two Polish men in the town earlier this month.

Robert Halfon, the Conservative MP for Harlow, said Mr Juncker had "made things much worse".

He said he was "surprised and incredibly upset" at the remarks.

During his state of the EU address to the European Parliament, Mr Juncker referred to a reported rise in hate crime since the Brexit vote, saying: "We Europeans can never accept, never, Polish workers being harassed, beaten up or even murdered in the streets of Essex."

He added: "The free movement of workers is as much a common European value as our fight against discrimination and racism."

Mr Juncker spoke out against attacks on Polish people in Essex

Mr Halfon told PM on BBC Radio 4: "What he was saying was that these things happen commonly and that by implication the people of Essex are racist and are murdering people on the streets.

"Now I have been the first to say we can't sweep problems under the carpet. However, Harlow is a kind, decent and tolerant town.

"The vast majority of people are horrified as to the tragedies that have occurred. Harlow residents and the Polish community have rallied together. So what he has said, rather than help the situation has made things much worse."

Polish patrols

He urged Mr Juncker to visit the area to see the "community spirit and the solidarity".

On Thursday, Polish police began patrolling the streets of Harlow in an attempt to reassure residents following the fatal attack on Mr Jozwik and other incidents.

Second Lieutenant Bartosz Czernicki and Chief Sergeant Dariusz Tybura, from the Polish State Police, will carry out patrols alongside Essex Police officers.

It comes after Polish police chiefs met Essex Chief Constable Stephen Kavanagh last Tuesday to raise concerns over hate crime.

Essex Police said they were there to offer community reassurance and would stay for a few days.

Six teenagers have been arrested and released on police bail in connection with Mr Jozwik's death.