Protests break out once more at the Essex hotel as the UK discussion on migrant housing heats up.

EPPING (Essex), Sept 1 — Hundreds of protesters once again gathered outside a hotel in southern England yesterday, demanding the deportation of foreign offenders as tensions over migrant housing continue to escalate.

The Bell Hotel in Epping, northeast of London, has been at the centre of controversy since July after an asylum seeker residing there was charged with sexual assault for allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl — a charge he denies. Protests at the site have since spread to other parts of Britain, with some turning violent.

The latest demonstration came just two days after an appeal court overturned an earlier ruling that had temporarily barred the use of the Bell Hotel to house asylum seekers. By yesterday evening, hundreds had gathered again outside the property, chanting for the removal of migrants staying there.

One young girl wore a T-shirt reading, “Send them home, please protect me,” while a boy held a placard saying “Deport foreign criminals.” Many waved Union Jacks and English flags.

National debate intensifies

The protests highlight a growingly bitter national debate over immigration, as frustration mounts over the steady arrival of small boats carrying migrants across the Channel from France.

The Ethiopian asylum seeker charged in the Epping case is a 38-year-old who arrived in the UK just days before the alleged incident, after crossing the Channel by boat.

Since Labour leader Keir Starmer became prime minister in July 2024, more than 50,000 migrants have made the perilous Channel crossing.

Epping Council had initially secured a temporary court order blocking the use of the Bell Hotel for housing asylum seekers, but this was overturned by a London appeals court on Friday.

Elsewhere yesterday, around 100 demonstrators rallied in support of asylum seekers outside a hotel in London’s Canary Wharf, where counter-protesters opposing immigration also appeared.

The Metropolitan Police said “a small number of masked protesters… became aggressive towards members of the public and police,” confirming that four people were arrested.

On Saturday, five others were detained after masked men attempted to force their way into a hotel near Heathrow Airport that also accommodates asylum seekers.

As of the end of June, more than 32,000 asylum seekers were being housed in over 200 hotels across the UK. The Labour government has pledged to phase out the use of hotels for asylum housing by 2029, citing high costs. — AFP