Asylum seeker complaint against Reform councillor dismissed after investigation by Lincolnshire County Council

A Reform councillor who claimed asylum seekers may need to be housed in “secure locations” to protect women and children did not break council rules, an investigation has found.

Councillor Natalie Oliver, who is in charge of children’s services at Lincolnshire County Council, was cleared of breaking the authority’s code of conduct following an investigation into her comments which were made in September.

It was during the full council meeting when Coun Oliver said asylum seekers were criminals and “may need to be housed in secure locations” for the safety of women and children.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Martin Christopher submitted the formal complaint, claiming this belief was incompatible with her role at children’s services.

His complaint said: “These statements are not only factually inaccurate, but also risk inciting fear and prejudice against vulnerable individuals, including children in our care who may be seeking asylum.”

The comments came during a heated debate on whether military bases could be used to house asylum seekers in Lincolnshire.

Councillor Oliver, who represents Woodhall Spa and Wragby, said: “The minute they take that trip across the ocean, they are doing an illegal motion. Therefore they are a criminal.”

She referenced large protests against asylum seekers in Epping after one being housed there – Hadush Kebatu – sexually assaulted a woman and a girl.

“The other thing we’re not talking about is the safety of women and children. It’s clear from the situation in Epping what’s going on in our nation,” Coun Oliver said.

“If that means housing migrants in secure places, so be it.”

An independent party was brought in by the authority to examine the complaint.

A report says: “The Independent Person considered that [the statement] fell within the bounds of robustness as to be expected by the public on such matters and it was not in the public interest to take this complaint further.”

Coun Christopher also complained about a clip of the speech which Cllr Oliver shared on X.

She wrote she had been “berated and attacked” by a separate Labour councillor during the meeting, but only he was visible in this clip, which he said could cause confusion in viewers.

This complaint wasn’t upheld by the independent person either, although the post has since been removed.

Coun Oliver and Lincolnshire County Council have been contacted for comment.