New council eyes up legal action to get asylum seekers out of hotel
Share this @internewscast.com

Another council could soon take legal action to evict asylum seekers living at a migrant hotel, the Daily Mail can reveal.

Wirral Council has confirmed it has initiated a ‘legal file’ to explore the possibility of taking enforcement measures to prevent a Holiday Inn Express in its jurisdiction from being used as migrant lodging.

This action presents a potential issue for the Home Office as it is concerned that any successful effort to relocate asylum seekers from a hotel could establish a precedent, resulting in other councils achieving similar outcomes.

This follows the initial victory of the Epping Forest District Council in Essex, which is Tory-led, in obtaining a temporary injunction on August 19 this year that required asylum seekers to vacate The Bell hotel in the town within 24 days.

The council decided to take action after an Ethiopian man residing at the hotel sexually assaulted a 14-year-old girl and a woman, sparking a series of protests in the town over the summer and leading to similar demonstrations outside other migrant hotels nationwide.

The temporary injunction was reversed by the Court of Appeal on August 29, permitting up to 138 migrants to remain in The Bell, following a challenge by the hotel owners and the Home Office.

The appeal judges supported the Home Office’s assertion that the initial ruling could have a ‘serious impact’ on the Government’s capacity to accommodate refugees and could incite further protests against asylum hotels.

Anti-migrant protesters in Epping last August. The Tory-run Epping Forest District Council in Essex won a temporary injunction on August 19 this year ordering asylum seekers to leave The Bell hotel

Anti-migrant protesters in Epping last August. The Tory-run Epping Forest District Council in Essex won a temporary injunction on August 19 this year ordering asylum seekers to leave The Bell hotel

The Holiday Inn Express in Hoylake, on the Wirral. Wirral Council has confirmed it has opened up a ‘legal file’ to investigate the possibility of taking enforcement action to prevent

The Holiday Inn Express in Hoylake, on the Wirral. Wirral Council has confirmed it has opened up a ‘legal file’ to investigate the possibility of taking enforcement action to prevent

Epping Forest District Council is pressing ahead with its legal challenge with a hearing due at the High Court on October 15 when it will argue that using The Bell Hotel as an asylum hostel goes against its designated planning use as a hotel for paying guests.

Despite the Court of Appeal judgement suggesting that the future case is unlikely to succeed, it has not deterred Wirral Council from potentially fighting a similar claim against the housing of migrants in the Holiday Inn Express in the seaside town of Hoylake.

The council on Merseyside insisted in response to a Freedom of Information request from the Daily Mail that it was currently not fighting a ‘legal case’ against the use of the hotel which would have challenged the policy of the Labour Government.

But the council added in its response: ‘There is an ongoing planning enforcement investigation relating to this property.

‘The Legal section is supporting and advising on this ongoing enforcement case and

has a legal file open for this purpose.’

The council refused to divulge any details related to ‘the ongoing enforcement investigation’, citing that it did not have to do so as files regarding council investigation can be exempt from FOI requests.

The hotel in Hoylake has been used to house asylum seekers since 2022 when RNLI volunteers on a training day were controversially kicked out midway through their stay to make room for migrants.

Protesters and counter-protesters outside a different hotel in Hoylake in August

Protesters and counter-protesters outside a different hotel in Hoylake in August

The Bell Hotel in Epping. Epping Forest District Council is pressing ahead with its legal challenge with a hearing due at the High Court on October 15 when it will argue that using The Bell Hotel as an asylum hostel goes against its designated planning use

The Bell Hotel in Epping. Epping Forest District Council is pressing ahead with its legal challenge with a hearing due at the High Court on October 15 when it will argue that using The Bell Hotel as an asylum hostel goes against its designated planning use

It has also been a target for protests since 2023, fuelled by local outrage over plans to house single male migrants, rather than families at the 56 room three star hotel, even though the proposals have never been carried out.

The council’s FOI response added: ‘The Council is aware of the public protests requiring a police presence that have taken place in the immediate area of the property and understands the interest surrounding the use of the hotel, however it is not in the public interest at this time to release information contained within the planning enforcement case file.

‘I can confirm that Wirral Council holds the information you requested. However, we are

withholding that information since we consider that the following exceptions apply to it.’

Paula Basnett, the Labour leader of Wirral Council, confirmed in August after Epping Forest District Council’s initial legal success that she had asked officers to seek ‘urgent legal advice’ to see if the local authority could oppose the use of the Holiday Inn Express for asylum seekers.

She said at the time: ‘The situation in Wirral with the continued use of hotels as asylum accommodation is unacceptable.

‘Recent legal developments in other parts of the country have shown that councils can successfully challenge the Government’s approach.

‘In light of this, I have instructed that urgent legal advice be sought on whether Wirral Council can pursue similar action to protect our communities.

‘Wirral has always shown compassion towards those in genuine need. But compassion does not mean central government can impose poorly thought-through, short-term solutions that undermine local communities and ignore democratic accountability.’

A spokesperson for Wirral Council said it had nothing to add to its FOI response.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like

Trump Ridicules Al Sharpton’s Program on MSNBC

President Donald Trump ridiculed Al Sharpton with an unflattering image of him…

Mark Sanchez Discharged from Hospital En Route to Jail

Mark Sanchez was released from hospital on Sunday after being stabbed in…

Eagles Fans Furious Over Controversial Missed Call Resulting in Broncos Victory

Philadelphia Eagles fans have expressed outrage after a no-call from officials helped…

Unraveling the Tragic Salon Kidnapping Incident

After more than 20 years, the mysterious death of 34-year-old Susan Perkins…

French Prime Minister Resigns Shortly After Forming Government, Deepening France’s Political Turmoil

PARIS (AP) — France’s new prime minister Sébastien Lecornu stepped down less…

“Longtime Activists Fail in 25-Year Fight to Preserve ‘Biohazard’ Homes”

A California commune filled with ‘dirty hippies’ is closing down after losing…

Harry might criticize Meghan’s video filmed in the tunnel where Diana’s accident occurred.

A solo visit to the French capital by the Duchess of Sussex…

Teacher Allegedly Labels Girl Wearing American Flag Sweater as ‘Fascist Supporter’

A father from Canada has responded to a school teacher who allegedly…

Jets Suffer Fifth Straight Loss to Cowboys

Aaron Glenn made history on Sunday. But not the kind of history…

VIDEO: Build-A-Bear Employee Declines to Name Teen’s Toy ‘Charlie Kirk’

A teenager alleges that an employee at the Build-A-Bear in Tukwila, Washington,…

Travis Kelce Displays Tension with Ex Kayla Nicole in Reappeared Videos

In recently resurfaced videos, Travis Kelce and his ex-girlfriend Kayla Nicole appear…

Aaron Glenn Breaks Unfortunate Jets Record Following Tough Defeat to Cowboys

Perhaps it’s time for Aaron Glenn to reconsider his perspective on success.…