Tories, Reform and hotel blame game

A FURIOUS blame game erupted over the migrant hotel crisis as Sir Keir Starmer was warned protests could sweep the country.

- By Michael Knowles Home Affairs Editor

Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick said the Prime Minister is “deluded” if he thinks people “won't notice” asylum seekers being moved into communities.

But Reform UK blasted the top Tory for hypocrisy over the issue.

The Tory former Immigration Minister joined protesters in Epping on Sunday, adding “people are right to be fed up of illegal migration”.

Ministers are scrambling to close 210 asylum hotels amid fears over the extortionate cost to taxpayers, with tens of thousands of people set to be moved into “dispersal accommodation” — houses, flats and bedsits - over the coming years.

But Reform UK leader Nigel Farage yesterday branded Mr Jenrick a “fraud”. And the party’s former chairman Zia Yusuf accused him of being “staggeringly shameless”, adding: “You were boasting about how many hotels you were booking for illegal migrants.”

The Reform duo were referring to a comment in November 2022, when Mr Jenrick said: “More hotels have been coming online almost every month throughout the year. What I have done is procure even more.”

Mr Farage declared: “Jenrick is a fraud. I’ve always thought so, this quote proves it.”

Mr Yusuf added: “Less than three years ago, as immigration minister, you were boasting about how many hotels you were booking for illegal migrants. Staggeringly shameless.”