Keir Starmer's asylum strategy has been thrown into turmoil after the High Court granted an interim injunction preventing the use of an Essex hotel to house asylum seekers. The ruling, in favour of Epping Forest District Council, follows weeks of protests near the Bell hotel, where an asylum seeker has been charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.
The judge, Mr Justice Eyre, agreed that the hotel's change of use breached planning law and cited disruption from protests and safety concerns for asylum seekers. The hotel's owner, Somani Hotels, has until 12 September to comply. Home Office lawyers warned the decision could 'substantially impact' the government's ability to house asylum seekers across the UK.
Home Office insiders admitted the department was left 'reeling' by the ruling. Border Security Minister Angela Eagle said the government would carefully consider the judgment but declined further comment due to ongoing legal proceedings. The council's leader, Chris Whitbread, welcomed the decision, calling it 'great news for our residents', but noted that a permanent injunction is still sought.
The Bell hotel has been at the centre of far-right protests since an asylum seeker, Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, was charged with sexual assault. He denies the charges and is due to stand trial later this month. Another resident, Mohammed Sharwarq, has been charged with seven offences, while several men face charges over disorder outside the hotel.
Enver Solomon, chief executive of the Refugee Council, said the ruling shows the government's plan to end hotel use by 2029 is 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. At the end of March, around 200 hotels housed about 30,000 asylum seekers in the UK.
