Hotel ruling 'a dark day for democracy'

A LANDMARK legal ruling allowing migrants to stay in a controversial asylum hotel has left the people of Epping, in Essex, "silenced in their own town," it was claimed.

- BY MICHAEL KNOWLES Home Affairs Editor and AARON NEWBURY

The High Court yesterday rejected Epping Forest District Council's challenge to the Bell Hotel's use as holding accommodation.

Mr Justice Mould said Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood's legal duty to house asylum seekers outweighs community concerns.

The decision sparked another demonstration by worried local residents outside the hotel last night.

Police had reinforced security and lined the perimeter as night fell. A number of fearful locals then gathered waving Union and St George's flags and igniting flares. Many shouted: "We want our country back!"

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said of the court ruling: "This is a dark day for local democracy and a slap in the face to the people of Epping. A Labour government has once again put the rights of illegal immigrants above the rights of British citizens.

"The people of Epping have been silenced in their own town.

"Their council fought for them, their voices were ignored. Labour's lawyers fought tooth and nail to keep this hotel open, even after a migrant housed there was jailed for sexually assaulting a teenage girl.

"This weak Labour government does not care about the people of Epping. It cares only about forcing through its open-border dogma."