Epping Forest District Council is to appeal a High Court injunction to stop the use of a hotel, which has been the focus of protests in the area, being used for asylum seeker accommodation.
It points out that this does not relate to an interim injunction, which the council had won in August to close the hotel in Epping and ensure the Home Office could not intervene. This had been overturned by the Court of Appeal and earlier this week the council was told by the Supreme Court that it was unable to challenge this decision.
The council’s decision to appeal the full injunction to stop the Bell Hotel housing asylum seekers has been taken ‘following consultation with group leaders and members of its cabinet’, said a spokesperson.
‘To clarify. This does not relate to the interim injunction for which the Supreme Court has denied our leave to appeal,’ added the spokesperson.
‘Rather, it relates to the full injunction that if successful, could lead to the permanent closure of the Bell hotel as asylum seeker accommodation.’
The hotel was the scene of protests over the summer after an asylum-seeking resident was arrested for the sexual assaults of a girl and a woman. He was later convicted and deported.
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