Coach-load of asylum seekers run into 4-star London migrant hotel under cover of darkness after protests erupt outside

The Sun

2 days ago

FLOCKS of migrants were spotted running into the Britannia asylum seeker hotel in the early hours of this morning.
They are the latest arrivals at the controversial four-star Canary Wharf hotel in London.
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It was closed to paying customers and converted into taxpayer-funded 'surge' accommodation for illegal arrivals in the UK.
Last night, new migrants arrived in a coach and were escorted inside by security.
Young men were spotted arriving at around 5.45am this morning, running up the steps.
Some wore masks and tried to hide their faces.
The Sun previously reported how mattresses, drinks and bed frames were shipped into the luxury East London tourist hotspot which branded itself as the 'perfect' place for tourists to spend a weekend.
The 500-room hotel – said to have 'superb views over London' – was designated for asylum seekers in a move that has angered anti-migrant protesters who staged peaceful demonstrations outside.
Earlier this month, the first bunch arrivals so about 40 male asylum seekers getting off the coach, with most dressed in grey tracksuits.
The first arrivals were taken off the coach at around 1.40am and led into the hotel to be given rooms.
They were helped by masked security guards working as private contractors for the Home Office.
The use of the flash financial district hotel, one of around 210 in use for asylum, was previously branded as farcical and an 'insult' to taxpayers.
When open to the public, a standard room had cost as much as £425 a night – though it will cost the Home Office £81 a night.
Amenities include a games room with a pool table and gym, though it is unclear if migrants will be allowed to use them.
An indoor pool and sauna are thought to have been shut down.
A Tower Hamlets Council spokesman told The Sun previously: 'We are aware of the Government's decision to use the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf to provide temporary accommodation for asylum seekers.
'It is important that the Government ensures that there is a full package of support for those staying at the hotel. We are working with the Home Office and partners to make sure that all necessary safety and safeguarding arrangements are in place."
The Home Office previously said: 'We inherited a broken asylum system from the Tories with costs spiralling out of control.
'As part of the plan to restore order and close all asylum hotels by the end of the parliament, we are boosting border security, substantially increasing removals of those with no right to be here.
'We are also tackling the Tories' wasteful contracts by ending the use of more expensive accommodation and moving to cheaper options.'
This month has seen an outpouring of fury from people near to hotels being used to house asylum seekers.
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Earlier this month, migrant hotel residents were spotted laughing while they filmed protesters and counter-demonstrators clashing.
People staying at the Thistle City Barbican Hotel, in Islington, waved and blew kisses at protesters in the street below.
Yesterday, a migrant was charged after allegedly sexually assaulting a man at the Bell Hotel - just weeks after fierce protests erupted outside.
Mohammed Sharwarq, 32, lives at the hotel in Epping, Essex.
Syrian national Sharwarq was arrested and questioned after allegedly attacking another man.
He has been charged with two counts of common assault, four counts of assault by beating and one count of sexual assault.
The Bell Hotel hit headlines last month when chaos erupted outside following an asylum seeker appearing in court charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.
Protests were sparked after Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, who had been living at the hotel, was arrested and charged with three counts of sexual assault.
The 38-year-old Ethiopian was also charged with one count of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity and one count of harassment without violence.
He appeared at Colchester Magistrates' Court on July 10, where he denied all charges.
The unrest saw yobs launching themselves on riot vans, smashing windshields and ripping off wingmirrors in senseless displays of "hooliganism".
One thug was even run over while attempting to stop a police van gaining access to the hotel.
Another man had his teeth knocked out after riot cops smashed a shield into his face in a brutal clash.
Since tensions reached boiling point, violent demonstrations have cost the force £100,000.
Last month, a new migrant protest erupted after the Home Office changed plans for an asylum seeker hotel.
Locals descended onto the Stanwell Hotel, near Heathrow airport, to make their voices heard on the issue.
The London hotel recently announced that it was changing from being a mixed accommodation hotel to one only for male asylum seekers.
And last week, a Labour MP for Bournemouth demanded three seaside migrant hotels be shut to help save his town's tourist trade after The Sun revealed they were used by asylum seekers.
Tom Hayes said he understood the frustrations of locals and businesses at having to live with the taxpayer-funded residences yards from one of Britain's best beaches.
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