Kemi: Close asylum hotel

KEMI Badenoch has called for the asylum hotel at the centre of violent protests in Essex to be shut.

- By Martyn Brown Political Editor

The Tory leader said it should be closed because of the “genuine” concerns of residents over what was happening in their community.

Chris Whitbread, leader of Epping council, has also called for the closure of The Bell Hotel in Epping, amid concerns the town is becoming a “focus and battleground” for extremist groups who “stoke tensions as part of their campaigns”.

Demonstrations have been held outside the hotel since July 13, after an asylum seeker was charged with trying to kiss a 14-year-old girl.