'We need to know more'

The Reform UK leader of Lancashire County Council says the authority is “awaiting further information” about the latest legal ruling on asylum hotels before taking any local action in response to it.

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Stephen Atkinson was speaking after Reform's national leader, Nigel Farage, quickly pledged that all of the local authorities under his party's control would “do everything in their power” to follow the lead of Tory-run Epping Forest District Council, which secured the closure of a facility in its patch after taking the matter to court.

However, the extent of that power is limited for county authorities in two-tier areas like Lancashire, where housing and planning are responsibilities that sit largely with borough and city councils such as Preston, South Ribble and Chorley - otherwise known as the districts.

That fact was acknowledged by County Coun Atkinson himself shortly after being elected to head the new ruling group at Lancashire County Council in May.

At the time, he nevertheless said he would be telling the Home Office that the people of Lancashire “did not vote for asylum seekers to come here” - while also checking “the legal basis” of converting hotels and other accommodation in the county for asylum use.