A High Court Ruling Has Thrown The Government's Asylum Policy Into Chaos. Here's Why

Protesters calling for the closure of The Bell Hotel in Epping.The government’s attempts to deal with the rising numbers of asylum seekers coming to the UK has been thrown into chaos by a High Court ruling.Tory-run Epping Forest District Council secured a major legal victory on Tuesday when it successfully argued that asylum seekers should not be housed in a hotel in their area.Now local authorities across England are planning to launch similar legal actions to end the practice in their areas.If they were also successful, that would be a massive political headache for home secretary Yvette Cooper and her department, who would potentially be forced to find alternative accommodation for thousands of immigrants.More than 32,000 asylum seekers are currently housed in 210 hotels across the UK, despite Labour’s pre-election pledge to close them all.What Is The Background To The Epping Case?The Bell Hotel in Epping has been at the centre of a series of protests and counter-protests in recent weeks after an asylum seeker who was staying there was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu has denied the charges against him and is due to stand trial later this month.A second man who stays at the hotel, Syrian national Mohammed Sharwarq, has separately been charged with seven offences.Epping Forest District Council had asked a judge to issue an interim injunction stopping migrants from being accommodated there.The Home Office had warned the judge that such a ruling could “interfere” with the department’s legal obligations to house asylum seekers.But Mr Justice Eyre – a former Tory general election candidate – granted the injunction, and said the hotel must stop housing asylum seekers by September 12.What Happens Next?Several more Tory and Reform UK-run councils have said they will launch their own legal actions to stop asylum seekers being housed in hotels in their areas.Ministers also fear protests will now spring up outside other asylum hotels, piling further pressure on already-stretched local police forces.Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Nigel Farage said: “The good people of Epping must inspire similar protests around Britain.“Wherever people are concerned about the threat posed by young undocumented males living in local hotels and who are free to walk their streets, they should follow the example of the town in Essex.”Conservative-run Broxbourne Council in Hertfordshire said it was taking legal advice “as a matter of urgency” about whether it could take similar action to Epping.Why Is This Such A Headache For The Government?Even if High Court judges banned every hotel in the country from housing asylum seekers, the Home Office would still need to find accommodation for them somewhere.More than 50,000 have come to the UK on small boats since Labour won last year’s election, with around 1,000 making the perilous journey across the English Channel in the last week alone.The prospect of further protests and counter-protests, and the prospect of public disorder, is a major concern in the Home Office.Politically, yesterday’s High Court ruling is also terrible Labour, who were already under huge pressure from both Reform and the Conservatives to end the small boats crisis.Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said ending crossings into the country would “stop the hotels”.Writing in the Daily Express, he said: “Every illegal arrival must be removed, every loophole must be closed, every community must be protected so towns like Epping are never put in this position again.”Border security minister Dame Angela Eagle said the Government will “continue working with local authorities and communities to address legitimate concerns”.She added: “Our work continues to close all asylum hotels by the end of this Parliament.”Related...Almost Half Of Brits Are Getting An Essential Fact About UK Immigration WrongYvette Cooper Delivers Brutal Commons Slapdown To Chris Philp Over The Tories' Immigration Failures'A Horrific Moral Failure': Campaigner Slams Labour And Tories Over Illegal Immigration

Comments

Breaking news

Trump Fell Back On His Favourite Kremlin Talking Point Just Hours After Hosting European Leaders

Huffpost uk

Uptake of free period products in North Lanarkshire schools and public buildings increases significantly over the past year

about 3 hours ago

AI 'immune system' Phoebe lands backing from Google arm

Skynews

Duchess Sophie's chic Edinburgh Fringe outfit proves pastels are this season's must-have - shop her exact look and high street alternatives

about 3 hours ago

Dailymail

How was Britain's most prolific serial killer able to 'shake hands and chat' with Princess Anne while awaiting trial for 15 murders?

about 3 hours ago

Dailymail

Who do YOU think is the most dull royal to party with? Author claims surprising senior Windsor was 'boring' dinner guest who overstayed their welcome and just 'smoked and drank'

about 3 hours ago

How Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's 'addiction to drama' led to some 'self-inflicted' wounds, royal author claims

Dailymail

Outbreak of 'Frankenstein' rabbits with face tentacles now poses threat to HUMANS: Doctor warns which states disease will spread to next

about 3 hours ago

Comments

Breaking news

Trump Fell Back On His Favourite Kremlin Talking Point Just Hours After Hosting European Leaders

This Gross Addition To Toothpaste Is Actually Best For Natural Enamel Repair

Jason Isaacs Spills Behind-The-Scenes Secret About His Infamous White Lotus Nude Scene

UK Gardeners Warned To Look For 'Webs' On Their Hedge Before It's Too Late

Tommy Robinson charging £28-a-minute to provide ‘expert advice’ to the far right

Train fares could rise even higher than we thought – here’s how much

Hollyoaks actor Callum Kerr urges ‘murdered’ mum’s friends not to go to stepdad’s funeral

Streamer found dead in bed after ’10 days of torture and sleep deprivation’

People Are Just Realising What The Non-Fluffy Stripes On Towels Are For, And I Had No Clue

Aubrey Plaza Details 'Awfulness' After Her Husband's Shocking Death

Noel Gallagher Makes Very Surprising Admission About Brother Liam Amid Oasis Tour

Kristin Davis Recalls Once Being 'Set Up' On A Date With The Late Matthew Perry

This Buffy The Vampire Slayer Fan Favourite Has Confirmed They Won’t Be In The Reboot