Premier Inn has responded to a false claim that one of its hotels housed asylum seekers. An X-user tweeting under the name "Angry Dan" claimed in error that people seeking asylum were staying on two floors of a Premier Inn hotel in Sandown on the Isle of Wight.
The X-user, who describes himself as a "middle-aged white British male" in his bio, posted the claim along with a video shot in the dark from outside the hotel. He admits in the clip it was not confirmed that migrants were staying there.
Premier Inn's official response
In response to the tweet, posted on Thursday (September 24), Premier Inn denied the claim and detailed its position on housing asylum seekers. The chain replied in a tweet posted from its official X account: "We do not have any hotels that house asylum seekers.
"We have never accepted this nature of business and nor do we have any plans to do so and for many reasons our hotels are unsuitable for these kinds of long-term stays."
Premier Inn said its hotels are designed and operated for leisure and business guests, adding it hoped the response cleared up any confusion. "Angry Dan" replied with a thumbs up emoji and the word "sure". He then defended his post, asking if the chain would know whether it was "housing" migrants.
Spokesman confirms no contracts
A Premier Inn spokesman confirmed the group's position, stating: "We don’t have any government contracts to house asylum seekers and don’t intend to enter any."
The social media exchange drew the attention of Free Speech Union member Ben Graham, who told his followers on Wednesday (September 30) that he checks if a hotel houses migrants before booking. Mr Graham, tweeting from his X account, wrote: "Whenever I travel anywhere in Britain now, I check whether the hotel has been involved in housing illegal migrants.
"If it has, I won’t stay there. They’ve lost me as a customer for life." He said Premier Inn does not house illegal migrants and has maintained that position from day one, adding: "They should be applauded for standing firm."
Use of hotels for migrants declines
Use of hotels to house migrants peaked in June 2023 when 400 were being used at a cost of £9million per day. Migrant hotels have been flashpoints for anti-immigrant protests and counter protests, including in Epping, Newcastle and Falkirk.
There are now fewer than 160 hotels in use, according to official figures. The Government has pledged to end reliance on hotels to house asylum seekers by 2029.
