Asylum seekers are allowed to remain at the Bell Hotel in Essex following a contentious dispute between the local council and the Government.
Epping Forest District Council (EFDC) attempted to obtain a High Court injunction to prevent migrants from residing at the hotel but was unsuccessful. Mr Justice Mould, in his ruling on Tuesday, stated that granting an injunction was not justified or convenient in this case.
Keir Starmer has promised to close all asylum hotels by 2029, but an immediate ban on asylum seekers staying at the Epping hotel was considered potentially disruptive to the system. The Home Office was concerned it could lead to legal challenges from other councils nationwide.
The hotel attracted anti-immigration protests during the summer after an asylum seeker accommodated there was charged with assaulting a 14-year-old girl. The individual, Hadush Kebatu, was later convicted, briefly released in error, and then re-arrested.
EFDC took legal action against the hotel owner, Somani Hotels, arguing that hosting asylum seekers there violated planning regulations. The council’s lawyers contended that housing asylum seekers constituted a significant change of use and led to frequent protests.
The Home Office got involved in the case, opposing the council’s legal action as being unfounded.
Despite a temporary injunction granted by a High Court judge in August to stop 138 asylum seekers from staying beyond September 12, the Court of Appeal overturned this decision, citing fundamental flaws.
EFDC pursued a permanent injunction through a three-day hearing last month. Mr Justice Mould, in his recent statement, acknowledged the council’s concerns but concluded that an injunction was not warranted given the circumstances.
Steve Smith, CEO of refugee charity Care4Calais, expressed the need to resolve the situation, highlighting the challenges faced by asylum seekers at the Bell Hotel.
In response to the ruling, a Home Office spokesperson emphasized the government’s commitment to closing asylum hotels and relocating asylum seekers to more suitable accommodations, such as military bases, to alleviate pressure on communities.
The judgment enables the Home Office to proceed with its plans to address the issue in an organized and efficient manner.