Keir Starmer's asylum plans have been thrown into disarray after a High Court ruling blocked the use of an Essex hotel to house asylum seekers. Epping Forest District Council was granted an interim injunction on Tuesday to prevent the placement of asylum seekers at the Bell Hotel, following weeks of protests near the site.
The protests escalated after an asylum seeker living at the hotel was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. Thousands of people, including far-right agitators, gathered near the hotel. The judge, Mr Justice Eyre, granted the injunction after the council argued that planning law had been breached by changing the site's use, and cited disruption and safety concerns.
Home Office lawyers warned the court that the decision could 'substantially impact' the government's ability to house asylum seekers in hotels across the UK. At the end of March, around 200 hotels were housing about 30,000 asylum seekers. Home Office insiders said the department was left 'reeling' by the ruling.
Border Security Minister Angela Eagle said the government would 'carefully consider this judgment' but declined further comment due to ongoing legal proceedings. The hotel's owner, Somani Hotels, has until 12 September to comply with the order. Council leader Chris Whitbread welcomed the decision, calling it 'great news for our residents' and confirmed the council would seek a permanent injunction.
The Refugee Council's chief executive, Enver Solomon, said the ruling showed the government's plan to end hotel use by 2029 was 'not viable'. He urged the Home Office to partner with local councils to provide safe, cost-effective accommodation and to speed up asylum decision-making.
