Ellis Rocks died after he was found collapsed in police custody in Wigan
Ellis Rocks died after being found unresponsive in custody(Image: Paula Wilkie)
Police have clarified that a man who died in police custody was not part of a migrant hotel protest. An investigation has been launched after Ellis Rocks was found collapsed in police custody.The clarification from GMP comes after Tommy Robinson and a number of large right wing commentators made claims on X, formerly known as Twitter, that Mr Rocks, 26, was arrested outside a migrant hotel.On Monday afternoon, Robinson tweeted to his 1.4m followers that “a young Englishman” was found dead after being taken in custody from a migrant hotel.
In the post he also tells his followers to “keep your eyes on this as they’ll try and bury this fast!”Another popular right wing account, which goes by the name ‘Concerned Citizen’, posted: “26yo English Man Dies in Police Custody after he was arrested at Migrant Hotel Protest This story will be buried fast.” It has nearly 2,000 reposts and thousands of further interactions.
However, Greater Manchester Police has clarified to the Manchester Evening News that Mr Rocks was arrested at the Britannia Hotel following reports of a man trying to deal drugs last Thursday evening (July 31).
GMP has also confirmed to the M.E.N. that no protest took place at the hotel and no asylum seekers are housed in the building.
Serco has confirmed to the M.E.N that its contract with the Britannia Hotel ended in July 2024.
GMP added Mr Rocks was arrested on suspicion of a drug offence and for an assault he was wanted for by police in London.
The force said he was taken to a custody cell in Wigan at 9.15pm, where staff later found him unresponsive at 2.30am on Friday. Mr Rocks was taken to hospital, where he sadly died on Sunday morning (August 3).
An investigation has been launched by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) following Mr Rocks’ death. He has since been pictured for the first time, with his mum Paula Wilkie paying tribute to her ‘beautiful boy’ on Facebook.
GMP said: “We are aware of comments and speculation online after a man sadly died in custody over the weekend. The man in question had been arrested on suspicion of drug offences, and in connection with an investigation into an assault in London.
“The arrest did not come in connection with any protest activity. The man was arrested at a location which does not house asylum seekers, and there were no protests in relation to this in Wigan on the day the man was taken into custody.
“We are continuing to support the IOPC, who are leading an independent investigation.”