All residents at The Bell Hotel in Essex, which has been used to house asylum seekers and was the location of protests last year, have been removed from the property, Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) said.
Council confirms removal
On Thursday, the council said it was aware the Home Office had vacated all those staying at the hotel and that only security staff remained onsite.
Background of protests
Last year, the location became the focus of protests after hotel resident Hadush Kebatu sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl. Kebatu was found guilty of five offences – including sexual assault – and jailed, and was then mistakenly released from HMP Chelmsford last October before he was detained and deported to Ethiopia.
In a statement, EFDC said: “Despite ongoing engagement with the Home Office, we did not know in advance that this was going to happen. We are seeking clarification from the Home Office on the details of what has happened and what their next steps will be.”
The Home Office has been contacted for comment.
Legal battle
In March, EFDC lost a Court of Appeal bid to challenge a High Court ruling dismissing its attempt to stop the hotel from being used to house asylum seekers. The council wanted to appeal against Mr Justice Mould’s decision in November last year not to grant an injunction blocking the hotel’s owner, Somani Hotels, from accommodating asylum seekers at the property.
