GB News star Patrick Christys has voiced serious concerns about Britain's future after the Court of Appeal overturned a decision that would have prevented asylum seekers from staying at an Essex hotel.
Patrick described Friday's ruling as a "complete disaster" for the Government, expressing alarm about the current state of the nation.
"I worry for our country today," Patrick said on GB News, highlighting what he sees as dangerously elevated tensions across society.
The ruling reversed an earlier High Court injunction that would have required 138 asylum seekers to leave the Bell Hotel in Epping by September 12.
Patrick Christys reacted to a win for the Home Office
|GB NEWS
Three senior appeal judges determined that the initial decision contained errors, with Lord Justice Bean noting that closing one facility would simply require finding alternative accommodation elsewhere in the system.
The Home Office successfully challenged the original ruling, with Government lawyers arguing that the European Convention on Human Rights took precedence over local residents' objections.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
- Epping asylum seekers allowed to STAY in migrant hotel as court sparks fury from local residents
- Robert Jenrick leads outrage against court decision to allow asylum seekers to stay in Epping hotel
- SNAP POLL: Should Labour respect the Epping public's views and shut the asylum hotel?
The appeal court's decision means Somani Hotels can continue accommodating asylum seekers at their Epping property, preventing what Labour Minister Stephen Kinnock had warned could result in migrants becoming "destitute on the streets" through a "disorderly discharge".
Lord Justice Bean, alongside Lady Justice Nicola Davies and Lord Justice Cobb, delivered their verdict on Friday afternoon following an urgent hearing the previous day.
Yvette Cooper was handed a key victory in the Epping migrant hotel legal battle
| GETTYThe judges found flaws in Mr Justice Eyre's original injunction, with Lord Justice Bean stating that the initial ruling failed to consider how shutting one location would necessitate finding alternative sites within the asylum accommodation system.
Patrick argued that the Government had permitted the ECHR to be wielded "essentially, against the people of Epping, some would say against the people of Britain".
He expressed unease about judicial comments suggesting that public demonstrations should not be perceived as influencing legal decisions.
"I worry we are in a situation where tensions are so high it could at least be seemed the Government is willing to go against the will of the people," the GB News star stated.
Worried mothers have been protesting in Epping
| GB NEWSHis concerns centred on what he characterised as a conflict over whose rights should take priority in such cases.
The GB News host warned that the ruling could exacerbate already heightened tensions across the country, suggesting the Government faces significant challenges ahead.
Patrick referenced comments from Tory MP Esther McVey, who suggested that whilst it might not be factually accurate, there exists a perception of "a left-wing establishment stitch-up".
The broadcaster emphasised that this perception itself represents "a concerning place to be" for the country.
He predicted the ruling would provoke "very strong reactions from both sides", describing Friday as "a remarkable day" in British politics.
"It's important to say it's not over," Patrick noted, suggesting the controversy surrounding asylum accommodation would continue to generate significant debate.
The Court of Appeal's decision prevents other councils from following Epping's example in seeking injunctions against asylum hotels in their areas, establishing a precedent that Government lawyers successfully argued protects asylum seekers' rights under the ECHR.