Fury over police escorting anti-racism protesters to demonstration outside a migrant hotel has erupted again. A second police force is at the centre of the latest furore, with unverified footage posted on social media appearing to show officers from Hampshire Constabulary walking alongside activists to Potters International Hotel in Aldershot.

The hotel has been the focus of demonstrations, including on July 16 when a group of protesters gathered outside the venue in a protest police described as planned and peaceful. The video showing officers escorting anti-racism protesters was filmed in May, according to the Telegraph, which first reported the claim.

Reports of the footage emerged after the Chief Constable of Essex Police, Ben-Julian Harrington, denied that officers "bussed" counter-protesters to a demonstration outside a hotel housing asylum seekers in Epping.

There have been a series of demonstrations outside the Bell Hotel since an asylum seeker was charged with sexual assault earlier this month.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage shared footage on social media on Wednesday (July 23) which he said proved Essex Police transported "left wing protesters" to the Bell Hotel.

Mr Harrington flatly denied the claim, telling the media the accusation wasn't true and police were taking people away from a protest for their own safety and to prevent violence.

Epping Forest District Council passed a motion on Thursday to call on the Government "to immediately and permanently close" the hotel "for the purposes of asylum processing".

The Aldershot protest footage shows an activist bearing a placard in support of the campaign group, Stand Up to Racism, according to reports.

Senior Conservative MP, Sir Iain Duncan Smith, told the Telegraph it was not the police's job to facilitate protest, but to ensure there is peace on the streets.

The same publication reports the video was filmed on May 10 at a protest attended by activists from Turning Point UK, which describes itself as a grassroots conservative organisation, and members of Rushmoor People First, a group describing itself as "anti-socialist and anti-Labour Party".

A spokesperson for Hampshire Constabulary said officers engage with those attending and ensure they know where they can protest safely in advance and on the day.

Turning Point UK's spokesman said the group has grown "increasingly appalled" to see police escoting "far-Left agitators" either through or alongside protests it has organised.