REFUGEES fleeing in terror from the Taliban in Afghanistan will be temporarily housed in south Essex, but will be refused council homes in Basildon.

Southend, Rochford and Basildon councils are all working with the Government to house the refugees, with hotels across all three towns potentially being offered.

But Basildon councillors say priority for council homes will only be given to Basildon’s residents.

Andrew Baggott, Tory leader of Basildon Council, said: “We won’t be providing council houses as part of it.

“We have a very long council waiting list, which our residents are on and waiting for homes.

“We are working with Essex County Council to find the right solution.

“The whole situation in Afghanistan has been disastrous, a lot of lessons need to be learned.”

Afghanistan has been flung into chaos after the Taliban recaptured Afghanistan’s capital city of Kabul on Sunday, causing the collapse of the westernbacked government after 20 years.

Stories of terror continue to circulate from Afghanistan, especially among women who fear the return of the Taliban.

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Around 80 Afghan interpreters and their families have already arrived in hotels in Colchester and Chelmsford, the Rose and Crown and the Atlantic respectively, council documents reveal.

The government says it will resettle 5,000 refugees nationwide by the end of 2021 and 20,000 over five years.

Martin Terry, councillor for community safety in Southend, said: “We have to take them in.

“They’re in fear of their lives, they’re in immediate danger.

“It would be the same with what we’ve done before.”

Southend Council refused to disclose how many refugees the town could, or would be allowing to stay in the town.

Ian Gilbert, leader of the council, said: “The council has been, and continues to be supportive of the resettlement of families displaced from countries such as Syria and Afghanistan and will continue to work with regional government leads to explore where we may once again be able to support their work.

“At this stage, it is too early to talk about potential numbers, given how recently this latest scheme has been announced as a response to the developing crisis in Afghanistan.”

A spokesman for Basildon Council, said: “Essex County Council is currently identifying properties in the borough, and we will then inspect them to ensure the properties are up to a suitable standard.

“We will continue to work with them to provide the necessary support in these challenging circumstances.”

Castle Point Borough Council refused to comment.