Hotel for asylum families asks for 'understanding'

About 150 protesters gathered outside the Park Hotel, with some chanting "send them back"

A hotel housing asylum-seeking families has appealed for "understanding and sensitivity" after protesters gathered outside and chanted "send them back".

About 150 people joined a demonstration opposite the Park Hotel in Diss, Norfolk, on Monday, after the Home Office announced plans to place single adult males there.

"There are currently vulnerable families and children staying at the hotel—many of whom are feeling frightened and uncertain about recent events at the hotel and their futures," the hotel wrote in a social media statement.

South Norfolk Council said it "welcomes the move by the owners of the Park Hotel to refuse to change from a home for families seeking asylum".

The Home Office told the BBC it was discussing the issue with the council and local MP.

The hotel said: "The Park Hotel has been contracted by the Home Office to provide accommodation for families.

"This arrangement presently remains in place, despite recent public statements suggesting otherwise.

"We have advised the Home Office and other stakeholders that should this situation change, and we are formally notified that the hotel will no longer operate as a family-only establishment, we will have no alternative but to close the hotel."

The hotel is currently housing 46 children and 34 adults, who are mostly women, the council said

Monday's protest began just after 17:30 BST, with about 60 people standing opposite the hotel with shouts of "we want our country back".

They were met by about 30 counter-protesters holding signs reading "refugees welcome".

The original protest grew in number to about 150 people, delivering speeches and chanting "send them home".

Green Party MP for Waveney Valley Adrian Ramsay said he had raised concerns with the Home Office about its plans but said the protest that took place was "wrong".

"Groups from outside our community came here to create fear and division," he said in a statement.

"That is not who we are. Diss is a town rooted in compassion and decency."

A smaller counter-protest took place outside the hotel to say "refugees welcome"

Ramsay said the asylum hotel had been running for two years "without any issues", but he was "frustrated" at a sudden potential change in use.

"The families staying here have become part of the local community, with many of their children attending local schools," he said.

"However, late last week we were informed that these families would be told to leave the hotel at short notice".

South Norfolk Council said it would be meeting with the Home Office on Friday and claimed the proposed change "came out of the blue".

"We are hoping that the Home Office, at that meeting if not before, will officially reverse its decision and let the families living in the Park Hotel stay in the town that welcomed them so warmly two years ago," it said.

The authority has no overall control but its biggest group of councillors (23) are Conservative, including the council's leader, Daniel Elmer

One protester's placard said: "Where are all the women & children? 80% fighting age men"

The hotel added: "We ask for understanding and sensitivity from both the public and the media during this time, as we continue to provide support to those in our accommodation."

A Home Office spokeswoman previously 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 said.

The Home Office has been contacted for comment.