Essex Police "have questions to answer" after pro-migrant protesters were guided to the Epping hotel at the centre of violence, the migration minister has said.

Tensions rise as Essex Police backtrack on their initial denial, revealing their role in escorting activists to a hotel at the heart of violent protests.

A town on the outskirts of London was rocked by protesters who descended on a hotel housing asylum seekers for the second time in four days on Sunday night amid anger about a migrant accused of sexual assault.