Protest at Ball’s eviction nomination

An angry protest greeted Basildon council’s Tory leader Tony Ball in London on Tuesday as he was nominated for an award for evicting Travellers.

The Local Government Information Unit nominated him for council leader of the year “in recognition of his role spearheading the eviction of Travellers from Dale Farm”.

Austin Harney from the PCS union said the nomination was a “disgrace” that sent a “chilling message”. Ball did not win the award.