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Telegraph
4 days ago
- Politics
- Telegraph
Epping migrant hotel must shut down, demands Badenoch
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.
BBC News
23-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Police condemn 'thugs and vandals' at Epping asylum seeker hotel protests
Update: Date: 14:48 BST Title: 'This is a powder keg situation,' says council leader Content: Neil Hudson, the Conservative MP for Epping, and Alex Burghart, the Conservative MP for Brentwood and Ongar, have called for The Bell Hotel to be closed due to the disorder. Chris Whitbread, the Tory leader of Epping Forest District Council, has described it as a "powder keg" situation. In an interview with BBC Newsnight's Victoria Derbyshire, external, he said: "Fair-minded people within the local community, initially protesting peacefully, want the hotel closed. "I have to say, as the leader of the council, that's always been my position and the council's position. This is just not a suitable location. The sooner it's dealt with, the better." He said he sympathised with the "vulnerable" asylum seekers at the hotel but stressed locations that had "less impact on established communities" needed to be found by the Home Office. Update: Date: 14:39 BST Title: 'Categorically wrong' to say officers were driving people to protest - Essex Police Content: Essex Police has also just shared this statement with us regarding claims made on social media, which were echoed by Nigel Farage. "There are claims on social media that Essex Police officers 'bussed' protesters to the protest outside The Bell Hotel on 17 July," a spokesman says. "This is categorically wrong. "Officers did provide a foot cordon around protesters on their way to the protest, where they and others were allowed to exercise their right to protest. "Later some people who were clearly at risk of being hurt were also escorted by vehicle away from the area for their safety. "To reiterate, we categorically did not drive any counter-protesters to the site on any occasion." Update: Date: 14:35 BST Title: Farage calls for resignations over police response Content: At the press conference earlier, the chief constable was asked to respond to allegations that officers were favouring pro-asylum seeker protesters. It comes after Reform UK leader Nigel Farage called for Mr Harrington's resignation over claims made in the national press that police were ferrying those campaigners to the hotel. Mr Harrington said: "People have got the right to turn up and protest if they are peaceful and lawful. "We have not driven people to the protest, people made their own way there. "We did take people away for their safety, for the safety of people there. To defuse the situation we drove people away." Prior to the press conference, Farage accused Essex Police of being "absolutely disgraceful" in how it handled clashes between rival protesters. You can read more on this point of contention here. Update: Date: 14:32 BST Title: What did the chief constable say? Content: Ben-Julian Harrington, the Chief Constable of Essex Police, spoke to the media for about half an hour to discuss protests at The Bell Hotel in Epping. Here are some of the main points he made: Update: Date: 14:19 BST Title: Chief thanks reporters as he ends press conference Content: Mr Harrington thanks reporters as he ends the press conference. Stay with us as we bring you reaction. Update: Date: 14:19 BST Title: Some protesters are 'stoking up' tensions Content: One reporter asks how many of the protesters are from Essex. Mr Harrington replies "a large proportion", adding: "But there have, as well, been people who have come in from elsewhere to express their views." He continues: "What we have is those protesting the use of this hotel and we've got those who are pro-that." The chief constable says some have been "peaceful and legitimate", while others have been "inciting violence and stoking up" tensions. Update: Date: 14:16 BST Title: No certainty over when protests will end Content: When asked how long the protests could continue for, Mr Harrington was unsure. He says: "I'm expecting, because I am ever the optimist, there will continue to be a number of lawful and peaceful people. "Policing will make sure people, as best we can, can go about their business safely." Update: Date: 14:12 BST Title: Police will act on all crime, says chief constable Content: Mr Harrington is now reiterating that his officers will not hesitate to act on crimes allegedly committed by asylum seekers. "Where that happens, policing has and does intervene," he explains. "Like any other person in the community, we gather evidence. That's what we've done in this case and what we will do." He then referenced an incident last week that led to two hotel workers being "seriously assaulted", adding: "Two people who were there for a day's work." Update: Date: 14:07 BST Title: 'We aren't overwhelmed and outnumbered,' says police chief Content: Our reporter Stuart Woodward has just asked if Essex Police has the resources to staff future protests. He also repeated claims heard in court earlier this week that officers were "overwhelmed". Mr Harrington replies: "I don't think we were overwhelmed and outnumbered. "There are sufficient resources in place to make sure we can deal with any eventuality, supported by the rest of the country as required. "We will be here to enforce the law and allow people to carry out their rights. We will have the support of the government and the rest of policing in order to do that." Update: Date: 14:03 BST Title: Officers did not drive people to the protest - chief constable Content: People have got the right to protest if they are "peaceful and lawful", the chief constable is now saying. He stresses the majority of people turning up at The Bell Hotel have behaved responsibly - and he thanked them for that. When asked if officers drove pro-migrant protesters to the hotel, Mr Harrington says: "We have not driven people to the protest, people made their own way there. "We did take people away for their safety, for the safety of people there. To defuse the situation we drove people away." He goes on to ask people commenting online to "consider the consequences in the real world of your actions". Mr Harrington then says "irresponsible" protesters being violent is drawing officers away from other parts of Essex. Update: Date: 14:00 BST Title: 'We're giving protection to law-abiding people' Content: Mr Harrington is now taking questions from the media, having finished his speech. Asked if his officers are giving a "higher level of protection" to the pro-migrant demonstrators, he says: "I don't accept that. "The only protection our officers are giving is to the law-abiding people." He is then asked if he should resign after clashes between those demonstrators with rival protesters, but Mr Harrington says: "The issue is not about my resignation." Update: Date: 13:58 BST Title: Police warn of misinformation online Content: Addressing misinformation spreading online about the hotel and the policing operation, Mr Harrington urges people to be responsible in what they say. "There are real world consequences," he says. "Going forward we know there are a couple of protests that are advertised. We have a robust, and I stress robust, policing operation in place. "If you come here to commit crime, we will deal with that robustly." Update: Date: 13:56 BST Title: Essex Police say it is being 'absolutely impartial' Content: The senior officer now turns his attention to allegations made against an asylum seeker, who was living at The Bell Hotel, earlier this month. "Where people in these residences commit crime, we will deal with that as well," Mr Harrington says. "We are being absolutely impartial, policing according to the law." Mr Harrington praises the "bravery and commitment" of officers who he says have faced violence. Update: Date: 13:53 BST Title: Ten arrests made so far, police say Content: Mr Harrington thanks the "many peaceful" protesters who have attended to air their views. "What has been unacceptable has been the people who have come to Epping and committed violence," he continues. "Who have attacked people who worked at the hotel, who hurt officers and damaged the hotel." The chief constable says "thugs and vandals" have caused "fear and disruption" to the town, adding 10 arrests have been made so far. Update: Date: 13:51 BST Title: People cannot commit violence, says chief constable Content: We are now under way here in Boreham, hearing from Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington. "What's important to Essex Police are the communities of Epping, the communities of Essex and rights of everyone there to go about their business lawfully and peacefully," he begins. "What it is not about is allowing to people commit crime, violence or disrupt those communities. "It is important we police according to the law as it is, not how people want it to be." Update: Date: 13:45 BST Title: Police giving update - watch live Content: Police are now giving an update - press watch live above to follow along. Update: Date: 13:38 BST Title: Conference delayed due to volume of journalists arriving Content: Stuart WoodwardReporting from the press conference The press conference is a little delayed here at the moment due to extra journalists arriving, I've been told. There are about 20 or so reporters already here, gathering to hear what Assistant Chief Constable Stuart Hooper from Essex Police has to say. After we hear from ACC Hooper, Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington will speak to the media. Update: Date: 13:21 BST Title: Journalists gather ahead of press conference Content: Reporters from national and local media outlets have gathered at the press conference in Boreham, near Chelmsford. We're expecting it to get under way any moment now. Just a reminder, you can watch along live by clicking the "watch live" button at the top of this page. Update: Date: 13:03 BST Title: Watch press conference streamed live Content: You will be able to watch the press conference live by clicking the "watch live" button at the top of this page. We're expecting it to get under way in about 15 minutes, so stick with us. Update: Date: 12:54 BST Title: 'Chilled' town has been thrust into the national spotlight Content: Lewis AdamsLive reporter in Essex Epping has found itself at the centre of the national news agenda over the past 10 days. Controversy is not what the town is familiar with, being highly regarded for its ancient Epping Forest woodland and pleasant High Street. People living in Epping, who we spoke to this week, have described watching their "chilled" area turn into a hub of protests and tension. "It's not what you would expect really," said cafe owner Geoff Morris.
BBC News
22-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Epping asylum hotel protest a 'powder keg', says council leader
A council leader has described protests outside a hotel used to house asylum seekers as a "powder keg" Forest District Council's Conservative leader Chris Whitbread was speaking after more than 1,000 people gathered outside The Bell Hotel in the town in separate protests over two nights last activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, also known as Tommy Robinson, had said he would attend a further planned protest at the an interview with BBC Newsnight's Victoria Derbyshire, Whitbread said: "My concerns are for next week, or this week, if Tommy Robinson turns up... We really have got to get this back under control." The protests followed the arrest and charge of an asylum seeker on suspicion of alleged sexual assaults in the repeated calls for the hotel to stop housing asylum seekers following the incident. Six people have been arrested following the latest protest with one man accused of violent disorder. Whitbread said there were concerns about the location which is near a school and the town centre."Fair-minded people within the local community, initially protesting peacefully, want the hotel closed," he said. "I have to say, as the leader of the council, that's always been my position and the council's position. This is just not a suitable location. The sooner it's dealt with, the better."He said he sympathised with the "vulnerable" asylum seekers at the hotel but stressed locations which had "less impact on established communities" needed to be found by the Home Office. "It's a powder keg now and we need to get something done and we need the Home Office to listen," he if he had a message for Mr Yaxley-Lennon and his supporters, Mr Whitbread said: "Keep away, [you're] not welcome here in Epping Forest. "What we want to do is make sure our town stays peaceful and people can enjoy their lives here. That's the most important message to get through."Mr Yaxley-Lennon has been contacted for comment. Downing Street previously said the scenes at Epping were "clearly unacceptable".The prime minister's official spokesman said: "Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy but it's clearly unacceptable to see police coming under attack as they ensure that peaceful protest is able to take place." A Home Office spokeswoman had told the BBC the asylum system was under "unprecedented strain"."That was the situation the government inherited, but we have begun to restore order," she Police said it was disappointed to see the protest escalate into "mindless thuggery" after one officer was struck in the face with a bottle and taken to hospital for treatment. Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Get our flagship newsletter with all the headlines you need to start the day. Sign up here.
Telegraph
19-07-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Questions about migrant hotels prevented under councils' privacy rules
Communities are not being informed about migrant hotels in their areas because it would undermine the privacy of new arrivals. Asylum seekers have been housed in hotels across the UK, often without residents being alerted. But this has raised concerns among residents and councils. This comes days after anti-migrant protesters clashed with police outside a hotel believed to house asylum seekers in Essex. Chris Whitbread, the leader of Epping Forest council, called for the Bell Hotel to be shut down after an Ethiopian asylum seeker allegedly sexually assaulted a teenager. It has been claimed that under privacy rules, the immigration status of those housed in the temporary accommodation cannot be shared with the public. Newcastle city council said that it could not inform residents that a city-centre hotel was being used by the Home Office to house migrants, saying: 'We would not share a resident's personal information with other residents, unless we had specific legal reasons to do so.' The council suggested the Home Office would be bound by the same rules. The Home Office is responsible for providing asylum accommodation and makes decisions about housing new arrivals independently of local authorities, some of which have become uneasy with the presence of migrant hotels. There are now thought to be more than 200 similar hotels across the UK, housing around 32,000 people at a projected cost of £15bn by 2029 – five times the annual cost of Britain's nuclear deterrent. In Altrincham, near Manchester, residents complained that there was an 'information vacuum' about a hotel. West Oxfordshire council has in the past complained that even councillors were not informed about plans to move in migrants. Tower Hamlets, the London borough with the largest Bangladeshi population in the UK, has told The Telegraph that 'we do not announce when asylum seeker hotels are stood up in the borough, nor do we announce when a refugee comes'. However, the presence of migrants in communities is often noticed by residents who have not been officially informed but have raised concerns about new arrivals. Police have pledged to instruct migrants in 'appropriate behaviours' after residents of Deanshanger, in Northamptonshire, raised concerns about the behaviour of new arrivals living in a hotel near a primary school. Officers drew up a PowerPoint presentation for asylum seekers in hotels on the key points of UK culture, including the fact that women 'have the same rights as men' and 'must be treated with respect and courtesy'. It warned: 'If you harass or abuse any female, you can be arrested.' It comes as illegal Channel migrant crossings are on course to hit a record total this year.
BBC News
17-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Hundreds take part in protests near asylum hotel in Epping
Hundreds of people have taken part in protests near a hotel used to house asylum seekers in a from far right and pro-refugee groups gathered in Epping, Essex, on Thursday. BBC Essex political reporter Simon Dedman, who was at the scene, estimated there were about 40 pro-refugee protesters and about 400 members of far-right Police said a man had been arrested on suspicion of affray at the protest. "Our officers have been at a planned protest in Epping throughout the afternoon today, and are now aware of some protestors using fireworks and eggs in the crowds," said a police spokesperson."We have closed a section of High Road, Epping, for the safety of the public and those protesting."The spokesperson added: "One man has already been arrested at today's protest on suspicion of affray."Chris Whitbread, the Conservative leader of Epping Forest District Council, had called for an end to a hotel in the area being used to house asylum was joined by two local Conservative MPs - Epping Forest's Neil Hudson and Alex Burghart, who represents Brentwood and Ongar. They claimed the Home Office did not understand the "seriousness of this situation".It followed the arrest of an asylum seeker on suspicion of alleged sexual assaults in the town. Weyman Bennett, a member of Stand Up To Racism who attended the rally, said: "Britain is a peaceful country in which people should be allowed to go about their business without being attacked."Millie Smith, who lives in Epping and attended the rally, said: "There has been a lot of misinterpretation of who is here and why they are here."Ch Supt Simon Anslow said: "Disruption and offending is never an appropriate response, no matter the strength of feeling in this case, and on this issue."The Home Office said it has "begun to restore order [to the asylum system], with a rapid increase in asylum decision-making and the removal of more than 24,000 people with no right to be in the UK". Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
