TRAVELLERS asked Basildon Council for £6million to leave Dale Farm, the Echo can reveal

In a series of secret meetings, including one at the Downham Arms pub in Wickford, traveller leader Richard Sheridan discussed the audacious offer with council leader Tony Ball and head of planning Dawn French.

Mr Sheridan, 42, spokesman for the illegal site, suggested the huge pay-off after learning of the spiralling costs of eviction.

He demanded cash in return for a promise he would clear the Crays Hill illegal camp, and buy another site for the 96 families outside Basildon.

Mr Sheridan said if the council handed over the sum – £2million less than the authority’s “worst case scenario” estimated eviction bill – he would buy an alternative site with planning permission and ensure all 51 of the illegal plots at Crays Hill were cleared.

A source close to the travellers said: “No one could believe it when the council agreed to those talks.

“It was as if they saw it as a real possible way of avoiding eviction.“The council wanted assurances there were pitches with planning permission available to buy, so the families would not just take the money and start again on another illegal site.

”Mr Sheridan suggested he could move families to sites in Scotland or Birmingham.

The offer came during four secret meetings over six months.

Council leader Tony Ball said he wanted to explore any possibility that might avoid a force eviction. However, he insists the council would not have paid anywheere near as much as £6m.