Epping migrant hotel must shut down, demands Badenoch

Telegraph

27-07-2025

Kemi Badenoch has called for the asylum hotel at the centre of violent protests in Essex to be closed immediately as police braced for fresh demonstrations on Sunday.
The Tory leader, MP for North West Essex, said The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, should be shut because of the 'genuine' concerns of residents that what was happening in their community 'is not right'.
Citing the arrest and charging of an asylum seeker at the hotel with allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl, she added: 'We saw someone from the hotel commit a crime.'
Chris Whitbread, leader of Epping council, has also called for the closure of the hotel amid concerns that the town is becoming a 'focus and battleground' for extremist groups who will continue 'to stoke tensions as part of their wider campaigns'.
Speaking on Sky News on Sunday, Ms Badenoch also expressed concern at 'agitators' coming in, while supporting the 'legitimate protesting' by local people.
Up to 2,000 people are expected to mount demonstrations at the hotel on Sunday, including not only local residents but also Right-wing anti-immigrant protesters and supporters from Stand Up to Racism.
Essex Police has imposed restrictions on the protests which they say are 'necessary and proportionate' to prevent serious disruption and violence.
The force said there will be a ban on anyone wearing face coverings and that there will be designated sites opposite the hotel for protesters.
A dispersal order will be in effect from 12pm on Sunday until 8am on Monday, covering Epping town centre and nearby transport hubs. The order gives officers the power to remove anyone suspected of anti-social behaviour.
Tommy Robinson, a far-Right political activist whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, said on X on July 20 that he was 'coming to Epping next Sunday ... and bringing thousands more with me' although, in a later post, he said he may no longer be attending.
Essex Police said that residents have reported feeling 'trapped', fearful of leaving their homes and anxious about protest activity.
Hotel residents and staff have been advised to remain indoors after 5pm as some have experienced verbal and physical harassment, including a resident chased and injured while returning to the hotel, the force added.
Essex Police said there was an 'escalation of violence' during protests at the hotel on July 13, 17, 20 and 24, involving hundreds of people.
The force added that officers were assaulted, missiles thrown, vehicles vandalised and the hotel sustained broken windows and graffiti.
On Saturday, the Essex Police said that two more men had been charged and will appear in court.
Lee Gower, 43, of High Street, Epping, was charged with violent disorder and assault by beating of an emergency worker on July 17. He was remanded into custody and was due to appear at Colchester Magistrates' Court on Saturday.
Joshua Meadows, 18, of Sunnyside Road, Epping, was charged with failing to remove an item worn, and possession of cannabis on July 24. He has been bailed to appear at Chelmsford magistrates' court on Sept 24.
It comes after 10 people were charged in relation to the disorder, Essex Police said.
Meanwhile, there was a peaceful protest outside a hotel reportedly housing migrants in Bowthorpe near Norwich on Saturday.
Norfolk Police arrested two men in their 20s on suspicion of affray following demonstrations outside hotels in Diss and Bowthorpe last week.
There have also been protests outside the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf, which is reportedly set to be used to offer temporary accommodation for asylum seekers.
The Epping protest was sparked by the charging of asylum seeker Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, with sexual assault after he allegedly attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl.