BASILDON'S council leader was forced to leave a prestigious awards ceremony through the basement and under police guard when the event was upstaged by a Dale Farm protest.
Tony Ball was abused and physically blocked by 50 demonstrators angry about last year’s travellers’ eviction at the illegal Crays Hill site.
Mr Ball faced the barrage as he attended the Local Government Information Unit’s awards bash at Westminster City Hall.
He had been shortlisted for the council leader of the year award for his work during the eviction.
However, members of the Traveller Solidarity Network linked arms to block the exit and invaded the hall lobby, shouting ““83 families homeless” at Mr Ball.
A bad night for Mr Ball, who missed out on the top prize, got worse when protesters tried to present him with their own “Community Wrecker of the Year” award.
Ten leaders were shortlisted for the Government think tank’s leadership award and Manchester Council leader, Sir Richard Leese, won it for overseeing the ten-year regeneration of the city after the IRA bombing.
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