Council to 'explore options' over asylum hotels

Ian Cooper, leader of Staffordshire County Council, welcomed the High Court judgement regarding a hotel in Essex

A council leader has said his authority will explore its options following a High Court ruling to stop a hotel housing asylum seekers.

Ian Cooper, of Reform UK-controlled Staffordshire County Council, said he welcomed the decision to grant a temporary injunction blocking migrants being placed at The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex.

The injunction was sought by Epping Forest District Council and came as thousands protested at the site after an asylum seeker living there was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.

Mr Cooper said he previously wrote to the Home Secretary about the issue and that the ongoing use of hotels to house asylum seekers was "unacceptable".

"We welcome this ruling and will be in contact with our district and borough council partners to explore what options this now gives us in Staffordshire," he said.

"The control and protection of our country's borders is a national issue but the impact of central government policy is felt in communities across Staffordshire."

The Holiday Inn Express in Tamworth was damaged during disorder on 4 August 2024

Mr Justice Eyre made his High Court judgement on Tuesday after refusing an 11th-hour effort from Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to get the council's case dismissed.

The Home Office had warned the decision would "substantially impact" its ability to house asylum seekers in hotels across the UK.

Asylum seekers must be moved out of the hotel by 16:00 BST on 12 September, the judge ruled.

Angela Eagle, Border Security Minister, has said the government would carefully consider the judgement and continue working with local authorities and communities to address "legitimate concerns".

"Our work continues to close all asylum hotels by the end of this Parliament," she added.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has said all 12 councils controlled by his party would "do everything in their power to follow Epping's lead".

Mr Cooper's comments came barely more than a year after violent disorder broke out at the Holiday Inn Express in Tamworth, which was housing asylum seekers.

Police came under fire from missiles during the riot and a fire was started inside the hotel. Multiple people have since been jailed for taking part in the unrest.

People considering taking part in disorder in Staffordshire were recently urged to "think again" by the county's police, fire and crime commissioner Ben Adams.