Asylum seekers have been removed from the Bell hotel in Epping, Essex, following violent protests that erupted after an asylum seeker living there sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl and a woman. The Home Office has terminated its contract with the hotel, which became a flashpoint for anti-immigration demonstrations last summer.
Epping District Council announced on Thursday night that all residents had been removed from the hotel. The Home Office confirmed the contract would end on 11 July, citing fire and safety concerns as a precautionary measure. It declined to say whether residents would return after work was completed.
The protests, exploited by far-right activists, led to violent clashes with police, including attacks on officers and security guards. In July, police made dozens of arrests as unrest spilled over. The High Court ruled in November that asylum seekers could remain at the hotel, despite the council seeking a permanent injunction.
Hadush Kebatu, the asylum seeker responsible for the assaults, was deported to Ethiopia in October. A Home Office spokesperson stated the government is closing all asylum hotels, moving migrants to basic accommodation like military barracks, to remove incentives for illegal migration.
