The news comes after Epping Forest District Council argued the hotel was not being used for its intended purposes anymore.
At 2pm this afternoon (29th August) the Court of Appeal ruled that asylum seekers could stay at The Bell Hotel, Essex, which is owned by Somani Hotels.
Lord Justice Bean delivered the verdict after the Home Office and Somani Hotels appealed a decision made by the court last week to put a temporary ban on migrants living at the establishment until 12th September.
The latter came after Epping Forest District Council sought an interim High Court injunction on the basis the hotel, which currently houses 138 male asylum seekers, was in breech of planning permission. The council claimed it was no longer being used as a hotel, but rather accommodation for migrants. It is currently understood that the case will be fully heard in October.
According to the Home Office, if the court proceeded with their decision to rid the hotel of the migrants, it would have a ‘serious impact’ on the government’s ability to accommodate refugees and could incite further demonstrations.
While he was delivering the verdict, lord justice Bean said: ‘The home secretary has clear statutory duties to asylum seekers under 199 legislation. These include a duty to provide support to them and prevent destitution.
‘Given these duties in addition to her constitutional role relating to public safety and the home secretary is plainly directly affected.’
Since the news broke, opposing political party members have taken to X (formally known as Twitter) and begun expressing their frustration over the decision. Robert Jenrick, the Conservative shadow justice secretary, wrote: ‘This is an extremely disappointing decision.
‘The British Government should always put the interests of the British people first. Starmer’s Government has shown itself to be on the side of illegal immigrants who have broken into our country.’
In similar vein, Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative party, published a statement on X, which read: ‘Keir Starmer has shown that he puts the rights of illegal immigrants above the rights of British people who just want to feel safe in their towns and communities.
‘The ruling is a setback, but it is not the end. I say to Conservative councils seeking similar injunctions against asylum hotels – KEPP GOING! Every case has different circumstances, and I know good Conservative councils will keep fighting for residents, so we will keep working with them every step of the way.’
However, after the verdict was delivered, Lisa Foster of Richard Buxton Solicitors – the company who represented Somani Hotels – echoed a more positive tone, saying the team ‘were grateful to the Court of Appeal for appreciating the urgency of the matter from everyone’s point of view and dealing with the matter so swiftly.’
She added: ‘We now ask that all associated with The Bell Hotel are left alone to continue to support the government’s asylum plans as best they can.’
Photo by Ricardo Gomez Angel via UnSplash.
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