TRAVELLERS are backing a bid by MP John Baron to find them new sites.

A committee met at Dale Farm to discuss Mr Baron’s visit to the camp before announcing he was pressuring the Government to find land outside Basildon to temporarily house families.

Mr Baron was once criticised by travellers due to his tough stance on illegal development. They are now keen to work with the Tory MP Campaigner Grattan Puxon said: “This was a turning point.

“Mr Baron previously campaigned vigorously against a small number of families moving to Pitsea. We welcome this new stance, and believe this is an idea we can develop with him.”

Mr Puxon said plan A remained staying at Dale Farm, but the option was a “welcome plan B”, although it would need to be permanent.

He added: “Basildon Council is still under obligation to identify land for 66 pitches, so we would also be prepared to seek funding through Dale Farm Housing Association to purchase land it may set aside.”

Mr Baron has previously said finding another site for a group that has broken planning laws would be a reward, and discriminate against people on housing lists.

His website still features an article in which he slams regional plans to create more sites based on the number of illegal pitches.

Yet he maintains he has not softened his stance, and just wants to avoid a messy eviction.

Mr Baron also claimed the Government had finally accepted travellers must leave Dale Farm.

In February 2007, the Government quashed an appeal by families for planning permission.

Yet Mr Baron says it has never publicly said they must go, until he received a letter from Iain Wright, Communities Minister, saying the council “must” enforce planning law to move them on.

Len Gridley, 50, from Oak Road, Crays Hill, a staunch opponent of the camp, was critical of Mr Baron: “Like all politicians, this is as two-faced as it comes. What side of the fence is he on?”