Wave of protests to target dozens of migrant hotels as Epping court decision sparks surge of demonstrations
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The protests follow an interim court order that blocked plans to house asylum seekers at the Bell Hotel in Epping
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A series of anti-immigration protests are set to be held outside migrant hotels over the coming days, it is understood.
It is believed demonstrations will be held in areas including Chichester, Cannock, Wakefield and Tamworth over the next three days.
Stand up to Racism, is preparing for more than a dozen protests to take place, telling activists on social media it is "crucial we show up in our numbers across the country".
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The group believes hotels in cities including Liverpool, Newcastle, Bournemouth and Leeds could be targeted, according to The Times.
It comes after a High Court judge granted an interim injunction blocking the housing of asylum seekers at the Bell Hotel in Epping, with those already staying at the accommodating to be removed.
The injunction sought by Epping Forest District Council meant the hotel’s owner, Somani Hotels Limited, would have had to stop housing asylum seekers there within 14 days.
The hotel has been at the centre of a series of protests in recent weeks after an asylum seeker, staying at the accommodation, was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.
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A number of protests have been held in Epping in recent weeks over asylum hotels
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Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu has denied charges against him and is due to stand trial later this month.
In a ruling on Tuesday, August 19, Mr Justice Eyre granted the temporary injunction, but extended the time limit by which the hotel must stop housing asylum seekers to September 12.
He also refused to give Somani Hotels the green light to challenge his ruling, but the company could still ask the Court of Appeal for the go-ahead to appeal against the judgment.
Following the council's victory, several local authorities - including some run by the Labour party - have said they are considering the High Court's decision in relation to hotels in their areas.
Anti-racism groups are preparing for demonstrations outside hotels over the coming
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Sir Keir Starmer's Government has vowed to close all asylum hotels by 2029.
Carol Dean, leader of Labour-controlled Tamworth Council, said her authority had previously decided against legal action but was now “carefully assessing” what the decision might mean for the area, adding it was a “potentially important legal precedent”.
A spokesperson for Wirral Council, which has seen protests outside a hotel in Hoylake, said the authority was “considering the detail” of the High Court judgment.
Conservative-run Broxbourne Council in Hertfordshire said it was taking legal advice “as a matter of urgency”, while Tory-run East Lindsey District Council in Lincolnshire said officers are investigating and “will take appropriate action”.
Essex Police last last month the cost of policing protests in Epping had reached £100,000
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Reform UK-led councils, West Northamptonshire Council and Staffordshire County Council, also said the authorities would look at the options available after the High Court ruling.
Ian Cooper, leader of Staffordshire County Council, said: “The control and protection of our country’s borders is a national issue, but the impact of central government policy is felt in communities across Staffordshire.”
However, a number of these councils do not have responsibility for planning permission, which may limit their ability to launch legal challenges.
Other authorities have ruled out legal action, with the leader of Labour-run Newcastle City Council saying she was “confident” the council could end the use of hotels without going to court.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has suggested that all 12 of the local authorities swept up in May's turquoise tsunami could now look to use Epping's ruling as a precedent to shut their respective migrant hotels.
Mr Farage said that Reform-run local authorities would do "everything in their power to follow Epping's lead".
Kemi Badenoch has meanwhile called on Conservative council leaders "encouraging" them to follow Epping Forest District Council’s footsteps by launching bids to shut asylum hotels.