Labour’s migrant hotel policy left in tatters as local councils plot Epping backlash

WATCH: Epping locals REJOICE outside the Bell Hotel as Patrick Christys joins them after migrant hotel victory

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GB NEWS

Sophie Little

By Sophie Little


Published: 20/08/2025

- 05:50

Updated: 20/08/2025

- 10:31

Nigel Farage said 'the good people of Epping must inspire similar protests around Britain'

Councils across England are considering legal action against migrant hotels after the High Court ruled in favour of an Essex district council.

Epping Forest District Council succeeded in requesting the High Court issue an interim injunction which would stop migrants being housed at the Bell Hotel in Epping, meaning the hotel must stop housing asylum seekers there within 14 days.


Now, other councils across England are said to be weighing up if they are able to take the same action.

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Conservative-run Broxbourne Council in Hertfordshire said on social media it "will now take legal advice as a matter of urgency about whether it could take similar action" to that of the council in Epping.

Similarly, Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, said that following Tuesday's ruling, the 12 councils where the Party has a majority would also be considering legal action.

Mr Farage wrote in the Daily Telegraph that local authorities would do "everything in their power to follow Epping's lead".

He added: "The good people of Epping must inspire similar protests around Britain.

The Bell Hotel in Epping

The Bell Hotel in Epping has been the centre of demonstrations

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PA

"Wherever people are concerned about the threat posed by young undocumented males living in local hotels and who are free to walk their streets, they should follow the example of the town in Essex."

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp wrote in the Daily Express: "Every illegal arrival must be removed, every loophole must be closed, every community must be protected so towns like Epping are never put in this position again."

However, the leader of South Norfolk District Council, which covers the town of Diss, said the council would not follow the same route as Epping Forest District Council.

Diss has also witnessed demonstrations outside a hotel housing asylum seekers, and two men were arrested and charged in connection a protests in July outside a hotel which houses more than 40 children.

MORE ON THE EPPING MIGRANT HOTEL:

Demonstration in Epping

Nigel Farage said: 'The good people of Epping must inspire similar protests around Britain'

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PA

Conservative leader Daniel Elmer claimed the council was utilising planning regulations to try to ensure only families were being housed in the area.

He claimed that housing single adult males would actually change the hotels to hostels, which would require a change of use.

Councillor Elmer told PA: "We make a big play about integration, and to replace families who have children in the local school system and have integrated into the local community would make no sense.

"If we can punish people who have put up sheds in their gardens without permission, then we can take action against hotels being converted into hostels without planning consent."

Dame Angela Eagle, the Minister for Border Security, said the Government will "continue working with local authorities and communities to address legitimate concerns."

She added: "Our work continues to close all asylum hotels by the end of this Parliament."

Lawyers representing the Home Office claimed the court injunction "runs the risk of acting as an impetus for further violent protests".

Edward Brown KC also said the injunction would "substantially interfere" with the department's duty to now breach the human rights of the asylum seekers.

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