The British Court of Appeal ruled Friday that the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, can continue housing illegal migrants despite not having proper planning approval — sparking outrage among locals and political leaders.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper’s appeal overturned a previous injunction that had ordered the closure of the hotel. Judges harshly criticized the lower court’s ruling, calling it “seriously flawed” and warning that allowing closures could “incentivize” more protests against migrant hotels nationwide.
The Bell Hotel became a flashpoint this summer after multiple arrests of migrant residents, including alleged sexual assaults. Protests by residents quickly spread across towns and cities as the government, despite election promises, continues to keep migrants housed in hotels.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage blasted the ruling, accusing Labour of putting migrants above British citizens. “The government has used ECHR against the people of Epping. Illegal migrants have more rights than the British people under Starmer,” Farage said.
The European Court of Human Rights loomed large in the case, highlighting Britain’s failure to exit the court’s jurisdiction when it left the EU — a long-standing demand of Brexit campaigners.
Conservative figure Robert Jenrick called the decision “extremely disappointing,” condemning the government’s lawyers for arguing that migrants’ rights override those of locals. “The British Government should always put the interests of the British people first,” he said. “Starmer’s Government has shown itself to be on the side of illegal migrants who have broken into our country.”
Epping Council vowed to continue its legal fight ahead of a full court case in October. Protest groups also pledged to intensify demonstrations outside the Bell Hotel this weekend.
