Now shut migrant protest hotel: As demonstrators clash again in Epping, Tories demand that Labour listen to local concerns and move asylum seekers
But ministers stayed silent as senior Tories joined demands for migrants to be removed from The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, over 'legitimate' concerns about crime.
As frustrated organisers of the growing demonstrations said they would not stop until it was closed, fresh clashes broke out outside the hotel yesterday, despite a heavy police presence to separate rival groups of protesters.
The demonstrations were triggered after Ethiopian man Hadush Kebatu was charged with sexually assaulting a schoolgirl just days after he arrived in Britain in a Channel dinghy.
Police chiefs have already described the unrest at The Bell as a 'signal flare' for another summer of disorder.
Epping Council voted unanimously last week to urge the Government to close it. But Treasury minister James Murray refused to comment yesterday when asked why the Government has not listened to the demands.
He told Sky News: 'I'm not going to comment on specific cases, but I do understand people's frustration.
'And whilst, obviously, there can never be any place for criminal violence, there's absolutely a right for people to protest about this.'
It came after polling found that immigration has overtaken the economy to become voters' biggest concern about the country after the NHS.
The survey by Opinium found 49 per cent of people put immigration among their top three concerns – a seven-point increase since May.
Meanwhile, Sir Keir Starmer could also come under pressure to act from Donald Trump when they meet in Scotland today, after the US President said he had 'sealed our borders' in America and urged Europe to follow suit.
Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp told the Mail: 'Ministers must recognise the strength of feeling from the public about this hotel, listen to their genuine and real concerns, and shut it down.
'The Government has lost control of our borders. They need to listen to the public anger on this issue and deport all illegal immigrants immediately upon arrival.
'I am furious we are being overwhelmed by illegal immigrants. What has happened at The Bell is a consequence of that.'
Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch said 'agitators' were coming in to whip up trouble, telling GB News: 'The Conservatives have been calling for that hotel to be closed down, because you have to show people there is a response when they have legitimate concerns.'
Kebatu, 38, is due to be tried for allegedly trying to kiss a schoolgirl as she ate pizza in Epping on July 7, eight days after he arrived in the UK. He denies sexual assault, inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity and a charge of harassment.
There were more ugly scenes outside The Bell yesterday when up to 1,000 demonstrators clashed.
Around 400 protesting against the migrants – mostly locals – gathered after lunch, with counter-protesters, including of pro-Palestine groups and trade unions, arriving at around 4pm, and staying for barely an hour.
Despite police from 31 forces including Merseyside and Lancashire separating them, at least three people were arrested.
Sarah White, 40, who organised the protest against the hotel, said: 'We won't stop. Today has been a great opportunity for our voices to be heard. We've got the message out there that we don't want these hotels.
'This, I think, has been the biggest – there's more to come. We need to feel safe – we don't currently. It's shocking. We won't stop until that hotel is closed.'
Maureen Chapman, 73, said she felt 'under threat', adding: 'I have grandchildren living locally. We want this closed and we won't stop until it is.
Despite police from 31 forces including Merseyside and Lancashire separating them, at least three people were arrested
'These people moaning, would they want it at the end of their street?'
The Home Office said: 'The Government is reducing expensive hotel use as part of a complete overhaul of the asylum system.
'From over 400 asylum hotels in summer 2023, costing almost £9million a day, there are now less than 210. We want them all closed by the end of this Parliament.
'People rightly want to see a robust and effective asylum system and we have a duty to support people who would otherwise be destitute and sleeping rough while their case is decided.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
19 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
CCTV images released after woman was raped in Sheffield hotel room by man she didn't know
CCTV images have been released after a woman was allegedly raped in a hotel room by a man she did not know. The woman was attacked in the early hours of New Year's Day in a room in St Mary's Gate, Sheffield. South Yorkshire Police said the suspect is 5ft 10ins tall, of slim build and has short black hair, with a stubbly beard and a slit in one of his eyebrows. The force has now released CCTV stills showing a man they would like to speak to about the incident, amid a series of 'extensive enquiries' into the alleged rape. In an appeal, South Yorkshire Police wrote: 'We are releasing a CCTV image of a man we would like to speak to in connection with a report of rape in Sheffield. 'Around 4am on 1 January, a woman reported being raped by a man not known to her in a room at a hotel in St Mary's Gate. 'We have been conducting extensive enquiries since the incident was first reported to us, but are now appealing for the public's help to identify the man in this image as we believe he may be able to help us with our investigation. 'He is described as being 5ft 10ins tall. At the time he was slim and had short black hair, a stubbly beard and a slit in one of his eyebrows. 'Do you recognise him?'
Times
19 minutes ago
- Times
More than 600,000 graduates are claiming benefits
More than 600,000 graduates are claiming benefits, according to newly released official figures. In response to a parliamentary question from the Conservative MP Neil O'Brien, the UK Statistics Authority revealed that between March to May this year 639,000 people with a level six qualification — equivalent to a degree with honours — or above were claiming universal credit, making up 12 per cent of those being paid the benefit. The figures came from the Office for National Statistics' Labour Force Survey, which also found that 88 per cent of graduates were in employment last year compared with 68 per cent of non-graduates. There was an economic inactivity rate of almost 10 per cent among graduates and an unemployment rate of 3 per cent. The median real-terms salary for graduates aged under 65 was £26,500, the study found — an increase of £500 compared with the previous year. Graduates were more likely to be in work according to the survey, which was released last month. The unemployment rate was 5.6 per cent for non-graduates. The inactivity rate — a person outside the labour force who has not been seeking work — stood at almost 30 per cent for non-graduates. These figures include the long-term sick, students and people who have taken early retirement. The Conservative Party said that graduates were suffering because of Labour's policies. Helen Whately, the shadow work and pensions secretary, said: 'Today's graduates face the triple jeopardy of low-value degrees, a labour market crippled by Labour's job taxes and competition with AI for entry-level roles. 'The government needs to grip this challenge. Their failure to reform welfare and economic mismanagement threatens the future of a new generation. Meanwhile, the taxpayer is footing the bill for unpaid student loans and graduates on benefits.' The annual survey by the Higher Education Statistics Agency revealed that Medicine and dentistry graduates earned nearly £10,000 more than the average university leaver after 15 months, at £37,900. The lowest salaries were paid to graduates from media, journalism and communication subjects, at almost £25,000. The number of graduates on universal credit will fuel concern over so-called 'Mickey Mouse' degrees with high dropout rates and poor job prospects. Before Labour took office, Rishi Sunak promised a crackdown on courses that were 'ripping young people off' by offering degree places that did not increase their long-term earnings potential. He said that one in eight university places would be scrapped. At the time, Labour criticised Sunak's remarks, accusing his government of 'trashing' the sector. Since taking office Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, has increased tuition fees to £9,535 — the first increase in eight years — and increased maintenance loans. A government spokesman said: 'We remain committed to our principles to reform the welfare system — those who can work should work, and if you need help into work the government should support you.'
The Independent
20 minutes ago
- The Independent
Two men dead after four stabbed in central London
Two men have died and a third man is in a life-threatening condition in hospital after four people were stabbed in central London. Police were called to a business premises in Long Lane, Southwark at 1pm on Monday and found four people had been stabbed. A 58-year-old man died at the scene while three other men were taken to hospital, the Metropolitan Police said. A 27-year-old man has since died in hospital. Meanwhile, one man in his 30s has been detained in connection with the incident and is in hospital in a life-threatening condition, the force said. Another man in his 30s is also in hospital but his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening or life-changing. Detective Chief Superintendent Emma Bond, who leads policing for the area, said: 'Our investigation is in the early stages and we are working hard to understand the full circumstances of this shocking incident. 'At this point, we do not believe it to be terrorism-related and there is no further risk to the public. 'There will be a heavy police presence in the area throughout today and I would encourage anyone with information to speak with officers or contact the Met by other means.'
