Protests planned across country as judges say Essex migrant hotel can stay open

Police are braced for further anti-migrant protests after judges yesterday revoked a ban on housing asylum seekers at an Essex hotel that has been plagued by unrest.

- HOLLY BANCROFT AMY-CLARE MARTIN MILLIE COOKE

Court of Appeal judges ruled that the closure of The Bell Hotel in Epping would have “obvious consequences” on the government’s duty to house asylum seekers and would “incentivise” other councils to seek similar legal action if allowed.

Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) had obtained an interim injunction against the use of the hotel for migrants after a series of violent protests at the site, sparked by the arrest of a resident over alleged sexual offences.

But in a definitive win for the Home Office yesterday, the Court of Appeal found that High Court judge Mr Justice Eyre made a series of errors when he granted the injunction, which would have seen all 138 asylum seekers housed there removed by 12 September.

Essex Police had officers stationed at the hotel after the judgment was delivered and the force is understood to have a significant policing plan in place in case the ruling sparks further unrest. Meanwhile, Assistant Chief Constable Arman Mathieson, of Gloucestershire Police, said that force was “well prepared” for rallies in its area.

Anti-racism counterprotesters were preparing to mobilise against anti-migrant rallies planned in 23 locations across the UK over the weekend. Demonstrations were planned for Cheshunt, Bournemouth, and Chichester last night, as well as in Cardiff, Oldham, Nottingham, Portsmouth, Gloucester, Canary Wharf and Crawley today and tomorrow.