This is the Green Party councillor who provoked a huge backlash by announcing she will be taking her grandchildren to deliver Valentine’s Day cards to young male asylum seekers.
Anne Cross announced at a febrile public meeting that she plans to take her grandchildren to the controversial Crowborough Training Camp base tomorrow.
The East Sussex County councillor made the statement in an attempt to encourage locals to be more open minded about their new migrant neighbours and to ‘hear the stories’ of those in the camp.
‘There is nothing like getting to know people and hearing their stories in order to dispel fear,’ she said.
‘My grandchildren and I painted some Valentine’s Cards at the weekend which we are going to be presenting to the men at Crowborough as a welcome.’
The grandmother of six went on to urge all the representatives of the local community to stand with ‘all those who share the love’.
But she seems to have seriously misjudged the strength of local feeling against using the former military base to house the small boat arrivals – as her plan provoked furious reaction.
Sussex Weald Conservative MP Nus Ghani lambasted Ms Cross’s idea as ‘disturbing’.
Green Councillor Anne Cross (pictured with her young family members) announced at a febrile public meeting that she plans to take her grandchildren to the controversial Crowborough army base, where migrants are being housed, tomorrow
People taking part in an anti-migrant protest in Crowborough in November 2025. The former army cadet training camp in the town has been commandeered by the Home Office to accommodate up to 540 male migrants
Claiming there was ‘widespread concern locally’, she remarked that getting children to create Valentine’s Day cards for ‘single adult men’ was ‘highly irresponsible’ and suggested ‘no regard for safeguarding’.
And other local residents shared ruder observations.
Unrepentant Ms Cross has insisted that women and children should have no fear from the camp’s residents – despite numerous incidents of sexual crimes at other areas of the UK housing large numbers of migrants.
She said sending cards was a common practice among refugee charities and the cards would be sent ‘anonymously’ to welcome the men.
‘There has been much misinformation about the men who will be housed in the camp and this has created a climate of fear,’ she said.
‘But there is no evidence children or women are at a higher risk from people seeking asylum than other sections of our society.’
The former army cadet training camp at Crowborough has been commandeered by the Home Office to accommodate up to 540 male migrants.
Ms Cross has insisted that women and children should have no fear from the camp’s residents – despite numerous incidents of sexual crimes at other areas of the UK housing large numbers of migrants
The Green Party councillor was first elected to East Sussex County Council in August 2023
The camp will cost an extra £5.62m to police, it emerged last month.
Katy Bourne, Police and Crime Commissioner for Sussex, said the money is needed to cover the anticipated costs of the policing operation – including community engagement, public order and investigations.
Ms Bourne said the force will also need more equipment, vehicles and technology over the remainder of this financial year and in 2026/27.
Ms Cross, who proudly commented ‘AnnMa’s [thought to be baby speak for Grandma] crew’ with a kiss emoji, has represented the Green Party on East Sussex County Council since August 2023.