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The government is seeking permission to appeal a High Court ruling that prevents asylum seekers from being housed in an Essex hotel.
Earlier this week, Epping Forest District Council secured a temporary injunction to halt the placement of individuals at the Bell Hotel in Epping.
The court previously rejected a last-minute attempt by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to intervene and have the council’s case dismissed.
If the government’s bid to be involved is successful, it is anticipated that a further appeal against the ruling itself will be considered.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper stated that the government remains committed to closing all asylum hotels, emphasizing the need for a “properly managed way” to achieve this.
She explained that the government is working towards an “orderly, planned and sustained programme” to avoid creating issues for other areas or local councils due to “piecemeal court decisions” or a return to the chaotic situation that initially led to the widespread use of hotels.
“That is the reason for the Home Office appeal in this case, to ensure that going forward, the closure of all hotels can be done in a properly managed way right across the country.”
A senior Home Office source described the matter as one of “democracy,” arguing that the judiciary should not dictate where the government can and cannot accommodate asylum seekers.
The likelihood of the Home Office being granted permission to appeal remains unclear at this stage.
Furthermore, Somani Hotels, the owner of the Bell Hotel, is also seeking permission to appeal against the court order that prohibits the use of the hotel for asylum seeker accommodation, according to the company’s solicitors.
Holly Whitbread, a Conservative councillor, expressed “deep disappointment” at the Home Office appeal, adding: “The government keep churning out the line that they’re going to get all the hotels closed by the end of this Parliament – our community can’t afford to wait another four years.”
She asserted that the use of the hotel was untenable, stating: “The protests have caused a huge amount of disruption for the lives of normal people living in Epping, and it’s just not right that our community should have to put up with this further.”
One asylum seeker residing at the hotel told the BBC that the government should close the hotels and allow asylum seekers to work and support themselves.
In recent weeks, thousands have gathered near the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, to protest after an asylum seeker living there was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in the town.
In its case, the Conservative-led Epping Council argued that the presence of the hotel “poses a clear risk of further escalating community tensions already at a high, and the risk of irreparable harm to the local community.”
Before the judgement was handed down, the Home Office requested to intervene in the case, warning that the court’s decision could “substantially impact” its ability to house asylum seekers in hotels across the UK.
The court sided with Epping Council, ruling that the 140 asylum seekers must vacate the hotel by 16:00 BST on 12 September.
Since the ruling, over half a dozen councils have indicated they are considering similar legal action.
Protests and counter-protests are anticipated to occur outside hotels throughout the country in the coming days.
The government is legally obligated to provide housing for asylum seekers who would otherwise be destitute while awaiting a decision on their asylum claim.
An increase in asylum seekers arriving in the UK has led to a greater reliance on hotels for accommodation.
Government figures released on Thursday revealed that the number of asylum seekers housed in hotels has reached 32,059 – an 8% increase since Labour came to power, but a decrease from the 2023 peak.
The number of asylum applications in the year to June reached a new record of 111,000.
Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp stated that the Home Office’s decision to seek an appeal against the closure of the Bell Hotel was “completely wrong.”
“Instead of trying to keep illegal immigrants in expensive hotels the Conservatives would immediately deport all illegal arrivals and ensure towns like Epping are never put in this position again.”
Paul Bristow says a city hotel is unsuitable to house asylum seekers.
Mohammed, from Somalia, who is living at The Bell Hotel in Epping, spoke to the BBC.
It comes after the High Court temporarily blocked asylum seekers from being housed at a hotel in Essex.
Asylum seekers living in The Bell Hotel must be removed from the building by 12 September.
After a court victory over a hotel housing migrants, Chris Whitbread vows to continue the legal battle.
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