Latest news with #TommyRobinson
The Independent
18 minutes ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Protests outside hotel caused by fake rumours online
Notifications can be managed in browser preferences. Archie Mitchell, Nicole Wootton-Cane & David Maddox Wednesday 23 July 2025 22:46 BST Flares thrown during protest outside Essex Hotel Protesters gathered at an empty hotel in London's financial district following false online rumours that it was being used to house migrants from the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex. The Home Office confirmed the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf is earmarked for migrants at £81 per night, but clarified that asylum seekers are not being moved from the Bell Hotel, which has been the scene of violent protests. Far-right activist Tommy Robinson and Reform MP Lee Anderson were among those who spread misinformation, with Mr Anderson attending the protest and warning of an 'influx of illegal migrants'. Violent disorder at the Bell Hotel in Epping led to 10 arrests, injuries to a police officer, and attacks on security guards, sparked by an asylum seeker being charged with sexual assault. Charities criticised politicians for spreading misinformation and stoking division, while Angela Rayner warned of potential summer riots, a view criticised by Michael Gove. In full
The Independent
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
False online rumours spark protests outside Canary Wharf hotel earmarked for migrants
Protesters surrounded an empty hotel in London's finance district after false rumours online suggested it was being used for migrants from another hotel, where riots have broken out. The Home Office has earmarked more than 400 beds at the Britannia Hotel in the Canary Wharf, which it says it will use to house migrants at a cost of £81 per night per person. Protesters gathered at the site on Tuesday after social media posts claimed migrants were being moved there from the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, which has been the scene of violent protests over the past few days. So far, 10 people have been arrested in connection with that disorder, which was sparked when an asylum seeker was charged with sexual assault this month. Tommy Robinson, the far-right activist, is among those who claimed online that migrants were being transferred to the London hotel from Epping. The rumours sparked protests and counter-protests, with police drafted to the scene on Tuesday, despite the hotel currently sitting empty. Demonstrators had also seized on online claims that migrants were being housed at £400 a night, when the rooms infact cost £81 per night and the government will not be charged until migrants move in. 'Asylum seekers are not being removed from The Bell Hotel in Epping,' a Home Office spokesman said. Reform MP Lee Anderson was accused of further stoking division by attending the protest outside the Canary Wharf hotel and warning of 'an influx of illegal migrants'. 'What are we playing at?' he asked on social media. He posted a clip in which he said he is 'absolutely furious' and that families across the UK would not be able to afford a night's stay in the hotel. Care4Calais head of advocacy Charlotte Khan hit out at Mr Anderson for his video. She said: 'The truth is, MPs should be more responsible than to sow division and hatred in our communities.' She added: 'MPs... who spread misinformation and hate that dehumanises refugees should be held accountable for their role in encouraging violence and racism on our streets.' Nathan Phillips, head of campaigns at Asylum Matters, hit out at the demonstrations which he said had 'morphed into yet more racist violence'. 'In that context, it's clear how disgracefully dangerous and utterly irresponsible it is for an MP to use his platform to identify a site where people are about to be housed and encourage his followers to 'protest' against it. 'It's appalling that there's no accountability for an elected official who actively encourages the exact same sort of 'protests' that have led to violence and arrests in Epping this week.' In Essex, local Conservative MP Dr Neil Hudson warned that the riots were a 'crisis that has reached boiling point'. Essex Police have made 10 arrests, which saw more than 500 gather outside the hotel, with rioters attacking police vans and injuring a police officer. On Sunday night, two security guards working at the Bell Hotel were also attacked at a bus stop, and are recovering in hospital. Giving an update to the media in Chelmsford on Wednesday, Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said: "I want to thank the people of Epping, I want to thank the people of Essex. "I also want to thank all those who have turned up to protest and express their views peacefully and lawfully, because there have been many of those. "What has been unacceptable has been the people who have come to Epping and committed violence, who have attacked people who work at the hotel, who have attacked officers, who have damaged property and who have caused fear and disruption to the people of Epping. "That is not tolerable, it will not be tolerated, and to that end, we have made 10 arrests." He appealed to the people of Essex to 'help us to do our job and make sure everyone can express their rights and their views safely and peacefully'. The latest demonstrations come a day after Angela Rayner issued an ultimatum to Sir Keir Starmer, warning that the UK faces a repeat of last year's summer riots unless 'the government shows it can address people's concerns'. The deputy prime minister said economic insecurity, immigration, the increasing time people spend online, and declining trust in institutions were having a 'profound impact on society'. And, amid fears this summer could see riots similar to those in the wake of the Southport murders last year, Ms Rayner said it is urgent Sir Keir delivers tangible improvements to living standards. Of the 18 places hit with the worst rioting last summer, Ms Rayner noted that 17 are among the country's most deprived areas. Michael Gove on Wednesday branded the comments about a repeat of last summer's violence 'a big mistake' which could 'tacitly encourage' fresh riots. The Tory ex-minister said she was right to acknowledge concern across the country about immigration and living standards and encourage the government to prove it can deliver. But Mr Gove told ITV: 'I think this is a mistake on Labour, to brief this out, I think it is a big mistake, it reminds me of what happened in the 1970s when [former US president] Jimmy Carter when America was going through difficult times said 'this country is in the grip of a malaise'. 'You do not, if you are the government, accentuate the negative in this way and you certainly don't suggest to people that violence might be about to break out in this way.' A spokesman for Tower Hamlets Council, the authority which is responsible for Canary Wharf, called on the government to ensure '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 spokesman added.
Yahoo
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sir Keir Starmer fears repeat of summer riots as Prime Minister demands action to repair 'fraying' Britain
Sir Keir Starmer fears a repeat of last summer's riots as he demands urgent action from ministers to repair 'fraying' Britain. The Prime Minister told his Cabinet it was vital Britain's 'social fabric' was healed amid a series of protests outside taxpayer-funded hotels housing asylum seekers. He also said cultural integration in communities that have experienced high levels of migration must be improved. Angela Rayner, the deputy prime minister, warned that immigration was having a 'profound impact on society'. She said the government must acknowledge 'real concerns' from voters about the impact rapid demographic change is having on issues such as housing and public services, The Times reported. During a Cabinet awayday last month, Downing Street's executive director of policy and delivery Liz Lloyd said that social cohesion was 'fraying at the edges'. There are concerns of more unrest after demonstrations outside The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex led to the largest outbreak of street violence in England since last summer's riots. Police also surrounded a hotel in Canary Wharf on Tuesday as protesters descended on the venue amid reports it was to be used as a migrant hotel. It came after resident Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, who came to Britain on small boat last month, was charged with three counts of sexual assault, one count of inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity, and one count of harassment without violence. Tommy Robinson, the founder of the English Defence League, has suggested he may make an appearance on Sunday with thousands of supporters. Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, told reporters on Monday that Britain was close to 'civil disobedience on a vast scale'. Next week marks the one-year anniversary of the Southport murders that led to far-Right rallies outside mosques and hostels. Sir Keir claims that social media and school absence, as well as small boat crossings, are encouraging people to retreat into 'parallel lives'. Rayner added that 'economic insecurity, the rapid pace of deindustrialisation, immigration and the impacts on local communities and public services, technological change and the amount of time people were spending alone online', along with 'declining trust in institutions', were having a 'profound impact on society'. According to a Downing Street spokesman, Rayner said it 'was incumbent on the government to acknowledge the real concerns people have and to deliver improvements to people's lives in their communities'. She pointed out that 17 of the 18 areas worst affected by last year's riots were among the most deprived in the country, adding that 'while Britain was a successful multi-ethnic, multi-faith country, the government had to show it had a plan to address people's concerns'. In a presentation to ministers at Chequers, Lloyd said a 'more forceful' policy on law and order would be needed to restore waning trust in the state.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Migrant hotel fury spreads: Labour accused of 'taking advantage' of communities by moving in scores of asylum seekers - as protesters descend on hotels in London and Norfolk amid fears of a 'summer of riots'
Labour has been accused of 'taking advantage' of small tight-knit communities by bussing dozens of single male migrants into their hotels amid fears Britain could face a second summer of riots. Sir Keir Starmer has been warned that the UK is a 'powder keg' that could explode into a repeat of the street violence that followed the Southport murders 12 months ago - unless Labour urgently gets a grip on migrant hotels. It came as his deputy, Angela Rayner, warned that anger at high levels of illegal immigration is risking social cohesion in Britain's poorest communities and must be addressed. The Park Hotel, in Diss, Norfolk, last night became the centre of another anti-migrant protest following a string of violent demonstrations in Epping, Essex, with more action planned across the country over the weekend. Around 150 people gathered outside the 19-room hotel for a 'peaceful' protest after the Home Office announced plans to change it from housing asylum-seeker families to single men. Footage posted on social media, including by supporters of far right activist Tommy Robinson, showed clashes between pro and anti-migrant groups and there are fears the change could bring tension to the sleepy market town. It follows several nights of clashes outside the Bell Hotel, in Epping, after an asylum seeker was arrested and charged with sexually assaulting a teenage girl eight days after arriving in the UK. And there are reports further protest could descend on London's financial district, Canary Wharf, this evening. Yesterday, Reform UK leader Nigel Farage claimed Britain was getting close to 'civil disobedience on a vast scale' - and protesters are already plotting to take action outside more migrant hotels in the coming days. Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, the leader of South Norfolk Council warned the 'anger' in Diss and around the country is 'real' as he echoed fears there could be a second summer of riots. Conservative Councillor Daniel Elmer said: 'The risk of public discontent is real. I think that is unarguable. The fact that we already have protests proves that there is a risk of the public getting very, very upset with this to the point they're prepared to go out on the streets to stop it.' Speaking about the protests at the hotel, he added: 'I think the anger here is completely understandable. I think they probably feel a bit taken advantage of because this was meant to be a family hotel. 'It was largely accepted two years ago on that basis. And now it feels like the Home Office is changing the goalposts again.' Since 2023, the 19-room hotel - in the centre of Diss - has been used to house asylum seeker families, including several women and children, but there are fears the change to single adult men could bring tension to the market town. Migrant hotels usually house two asylum seekers per room, meaning there could be at least 38 men bussed into Diss. But the council say the Home Office has not confirmed the numbers yet and they are 'incredibly disappointed' at the short notice. Mr Elmer said that it is crucial how 'safe people feel' in the 'very small tight-knit community' of Diss, adding: 'It is indisputably true that lots of young adult men make people feel less safe than women and children. 'I understand why people are angry, and I would never want belittle that anger. I think it is obviously concerning if there is a risk of anything becoming violent.' As well as the protests in Diss and Epping, demonstrations have already been planned in other parts of Norfolk and Worcestershire on Saturday, stoking fears more riots are on the way. Mr Elmer said it was 'absolutely true' that there is a risk of more violence on the streets this summer. Amid growing fears of further violence, Angela Rayner today told the Cabinet this morning they had to 'acknowledge the real concerns people have' about immigration and economic insecurity, hours after the anti-migrant clashes in Norfolk. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said today that Ms Rayner warned the Cabinet '17 of the 18 places that saw the worst of the disorder last summer ranked at the top of the most deprived, and while Britain was a successful multi-ethnic, multi-faith country, the Government had to show it had a plan to address people's concerns (and) provide opportunities for everyone to flourish'. 'I think she sees a link between concerns that people have about where the Government is acting on their behalf and acting in their interests, and a range of factors,' he said. 'High levels of immigration over the last 10 years, including illegal immigration, but also, importantly, the cost of living, economic security, the rapid pace of technological change and deindustrialisation and changes in the economy, these are all factors that have had an impact on our social fabric and social cohesion.' The demonstration in Norfolk started with around 60 people shouting 'we want our country back'. They were met by about 30 counter-protesters from Stand Up To Racism holding signs that read 'refugees welcome'. Footage posted on social media shows protesters - some wearing Union Jack bucket hats and holding St George's flags - and counter-protesters standing on both sides of the road outside the hotel. But as tension mounted, they clashed with one another, with protesters crossing the road to confront the counter-protesters. Loud chants of 'stop the boats' and 'send them home' could be heard, while protesters - including children - unfurled a banner which said 'enough is enough'. A counter-protester holding a 'Stop the far right' placard attempted to shout over them. A protester using a megaphone could be heard confronting those opposing the demonstration with questions about why migrants should be housed in the UK. As the group grew to about 150, the refugee supporters then left the hotel and carried on elsewhere. Julian Bareham, 71, who has lived opposite the Park Hotel for 22 years, complained: 'We don't know what these people are capable of.' He said they are 'not going to socially integrate', adding: 'If there were too many of them wandering around Diss then I would feel alien within my own town. 'The hotel used to be a nice friendly community hub, an amenity that was well-respected and useful for those needing an overnight stay who were coming here for business. It is a huge loss.' 'After lockdown, the hotel never really recovered and the owners sold it to new owners who did a deal with the government and this deal, I believe has been a disaster for the town.' A pensioner who lives opposite the hotel said she no longer feels safe in the area. Sheila, 78, who didn't want to give her surname, explained: 'I think it's dreadful that all men will be staying here. 'We are lucky that the protests yesterday were peaceful and didn't develop into riots that they have done previously elsewhere - but perhaps it could.' Maureen Scott, 68, who has lived in the town all her life and had her wedding reception at the hotel 46 years ago, said she had been content with families living there and hoped the single men moving in would 'keep themselves to themselves'. She added: 'I think it could have an effect on jobs here but I have no idea how long these people will be here. It is the great unknown.' A 55-year-old man who lives near the hotel was supportive of the asylum seekers, however, and expressed concern about the tone of the protests. 'Yesterday was absolute chaos, people were shouting far right and ill-informed things about how these people will be molesting and raping the women and children of Diss,' he said. 'I felt absolutely threatened in my own home, they were saying that they are going to be coming every Sunday at 2pm. This is going to disrupt our peaceful family life and I am worried. 'We have had asylum seekers residing next door for the last three years or so, roughly, and there has never been any issues. It is far better and quieter than when the hotel was in operation. 'I hear families laughing and playing in the garden compared to late night music and revelry from weddings and other functions which sees bottles thrown into my property and smashed glass in the road which was always happening, fights with drunk people. It has been pleasant since the asylum seekers have been residing there. 'I am open-minded to men living there but I think I would prefer it to be families as it has been lovely so far.' A police officer was seen with blood running down his cheek outside The Bell Hotel in Epping on July 20 South Norfolk Council has opposed plans to change the use of the hotel to single adult male migrants, saying it only learned about it in a brief email from Whitehall last week. The Home Office is in contact with Adrian Ramsay MP and the council. The local authority argued families at the hotel had become part of the local community and replacing them with single men could see tension boil over as it has in other parts of the country. The council's deputy leader, Councillor Graham Minshull, said the Home Office plans to change the hotel to house single adult men was 'deeply disappointing'. A spokesman for Norfolk Police said: 'Officers maintained a presence in Denmark Street, Diss, on Monday evening to ensure the safety of all involved at a planned protest outside a commercial premises. No arrests were made.' The Diss protest comes after hundreds of furious locals gathered outside the Bell Hotel in Epping on Thursday after Ethiopian resident Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, was charged with sex attacks on schoolgirls. The protest started peacefully, but descended into frenzied violence when anti-migrant demonstrators clashed with counter protesters and police. Eight police officers were injured on Thursday, while protests have continued to take place in the days since. Sunday was the fourth in just nine days - with around 500 people gathering outside the hotel. Although it was calmer on Sunday, troublemakers hid their faces in the crowd and there were a few flashpoints when bottles and firecrackers were thrown at police. The Prime Minister is facing pressure to act to prevent a repeat of 2024, when towns and cities were hit by violent, often racist protests triggered by the Southport child murders. At the same time, the leader of Epping Forest District Council warned that far right groups could feed off discontent if migrant hotels are not closed. Chris Whitbread told BBC Newsnight that the council had warned the Home Office the hotel was the wrong site, adding: 'It's a powder keg now and we need to get something done and we need the Home Office to listen.' He went on: 'My concerns are for next week, or this week, if Tommy Robinson turns up, if we see another example of what happened on Thursday evening, we really have got to get this back under control. He told Mr Robinson - whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon he was 'not welcome' and should stay away, but added: 'What we want is the Home Office to act sensibly, recognise that this hotel is in the wrong location for this type of use and close it as quickly as possible.' Mr Farage has also weighed in on the Epping protests, saying: 'I don't think anybody in London can understand just how close we are to civil disobedience on a vast scale in this country.' He accepted there were some 'bad eggs that turned up', including 'the usual far-Right thugs', but added: 'Do I understand how people in Epping feel? You bet your life I do. 'Don't underestimate the simmering anger and disgust there is in this country that we are letting in every week, in fact some days, many hundreds of undocumented young males, many of whom come from cultures in which women and young girls are not even treated as second-class citizens. 'I do understand the genuine upset and anger, and I'll bet you that most of the people outside that hotel in Epping weren't far-Right or far-Left or anything like that, they were genuinely concerned families.' The Reform UK leader warned Britain is on the brink of 'societal collapse' as he vowed to halve crime in five years if her becomes prime minister. Launching a six-week policy blitz on tackling 'lawless Britain', Mr Farage said yesterday: 'We're actually facing, in many parts of our country, nothing short of societal collapse. 'People are scared to go out to the shops, scared to let their kids out. That is a society that is degraded, and it's happening very, very rapidly. Respect for those in uniform has declined massively.' The PM's official spokesperson has said there are now just over 200 migrant hotels, down from 400 under the Conservatives. But they failed to address whether the Epping protests will accelerate the Government's efforts to close these hotels. The cost of policing protests outside the Epping hotel has reached £100,000, police said. On Sunday, more than 100 demonstrators assemble outside the hotel with some chanting 'save our kids'. Thursday's demonstration was one of a series of protests outside the hotel since asylum seeker Kebatu was charged with sexual assault following an incident where he is alleged to have attempted to kiss a 14-year-old girl. Kebatu denied the charge when he appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates' Court on Thursday. Essex Police said six people were arrested on Sunday evening and remain in custody, including a 17-year-old male on suspicion of causing criminal damage to a police car. Four were arrested on Sunday for alleged offences during Thursday's protest, police said.
BBC News
a day ago
- 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.
