Congratulations to MP Priti for her stand on travellers (From Braintree and Witham Times)

Congratulations to MP Priti for her stand on travellers

I take my hat off to MP Priti Patel.

Where many MPs pay lip service by condemning the illegal occupation of land by travellers, she took the issue to the heart of democracy and called a debate in the House of Commons.

She is not only aware – as the article (Gazette, July 19) so succinctly put it – of the cost to society in money and time, but also of the blatant breaches of planning laws by these people.

Common Law states no person or persons shall be seen to gain a pecuniary gain by an illegal act.

The equality law is also in conflict with the decision to either provide sites, or to allow sites illegally occupied to exist.

It follows the site at Crockleford Heath remains an illegal one. It does not comply with even basic health and sanitary requirements.

The site at Elmstead is now vacant, as the travellers failed to comply with the conditions from Tendring Council to see that it was connected to the services.

I shall be the first to support the closing of all these sites, just as soon as that at Crays Hill, near Basildon, is shut, and thus sets a clear precedent.

Peter M Cobbold
Hatchcroft Gardens
Elmstead Market