Asylum seekers removed from Essex hotel that became far-right protest flashpoint
The UK Home Office has terminated its contract with the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, after the hotel became a focal point for anti-immigration protests last summer.
Asylum seekers have been removed from the Epping hotel that was a flashpoint for far-right protests last summer, as the Home Office ends its contract with the establishment. The Bell Hotel on the outskirts of the Essex town saw increasingly large demonstrations after a resident asylum seeker sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl and a woman.
Far-right activists exploited the incident, leading to violent clashes with police in July. Officers made dozens of arrests, and two security guards were assaulted in what police described as a racially motivated attack. The protests continued intermittently even after the attacker was deported to Ethiopia in October.
Epping District Council released a statement on Thursday night saying it had become aware the Home Office had removed all residents from the hotel. On Friday, the council confirmed the Home Office was terminating its contract, with the hotel ceasing to be used from 11 July. The Home Office cited fire and safety concerns as a precautionary measure but did not say if residents would return after repairs.
Local people who had opposed far-right activity expressed concern that the council's statement created uncertainty, effectively preventing residents from returning even if their removal was originally temporary. The High Court had ruled in November that asylum seekers could continue to be housed at the hotel, rejecting the council's bid for a permanent injunction.
A Home Office spokesperson said the government is closing all asylum hotels and moving illegal migrants into basic accommodation like military barracks.
