Asylum seeker hotel situation 'ongoing'

COUNCIL LEADER GIVES UPDATE AS THEY AWAIT LEGAL ADVICE

- By EDWARD BARNES

A MERSEYSIDE council leader has explained why she challenged her own party's government over a Home Office decision around an asylum seeker hotel in Hoylake.

Labour councillor Paula Basnett said Wirral Council was still waiting for legal advice and the situation was ongoing.

Over July and August, protests and counter protests were seen in Hoylake over the use of the town's former Holiday Inn Express at Kings Gap to house male asylum seekers. The hotel has previously been used for this purpose and more recently used to house families.

In October, Wirral councillors clashed over the issue after opposing motions were put forward for debate, though both later passed. They accused each other of dog-whistle politics, being dangerous, headline grabbing, and encouraging people to come to the UK "by going down to Hoylake and sharing flapjacks."