Lee Anderson issues brutal 11-word verdict on Epping migrant hotel court win

Reform Party MP Lee Anderson said the High Court's decision to prevent more asylum seekers being accommodated at Epping's Bell Hotel will not provide a proper solution to the problem. A High Court judge on Tuesday granted Epping Forest District Council its temporary injuction to block asylum seekers from being housed at the Bell Hotel. The hotel's owner, Somani Hotels Limited, must now remove migrants from the site within 14 days.

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage hailed the High Court decision in Epping as a "victory" and said he hoped it "provides inspiration to others across the country", while the shadow home secretary argued that residents have "every right to object" to people being housed in their area. However, Ashfield MP Mr Anderson was less convinced. He told Express.co.uk: "It's a problem moved. Not a problem solved. Detain and deport."

Mr Farage urged local authorities to follow Epping Forest District Council's example after it secured a High Court injunction preventing migrants being housed at the Bell Hotel.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Farage said the 12 councils where his party is the largest group would "do everything in their power to follow Epping's lead".

He argued on X that "young, undocumented males who break into the UK illegally should not be free to walk the streets" and must instead be "detained and deported".

The Home Office had warned the court that such injunctions could "interfere" with its legal obligations, while lawyers for the hotel's owner, Somani Hotels, argued the move risked setting a precedent.

Mr Justice Eyre nevertheless granted a temporary injunction, extended until 12 September, while refusing permission for the company to appeal.

The Bell Hotel has been the focus of protests since an asylum seeker staying there was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl. A second resident faces unrelated charges, and others have been charged with disorder outside the site.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called for migrants to be moved "immediately", while shadow home secretary Chris Philp said residents should "never have had to fight their own government just to feel safe". Labour sources dismissed the council's action as politically motivated.

Border security minister Dame Angela Eagle said the Government remained committed to closing all asylum hotels by the end of the Parliament.

Also speaking to Express.co.uk, Andrew Husband, leader of Durham Council, said: "I have already challenged our legal team to start mapping out a defence should we face a similar challenge, on the back of this injunction.

"It is certainly something councils can learn from and a great example of people-power underpinned with common sense. Something this Labour Government seems to overlook."

Meanwhile Reform's Laura Jones, a member of the Welsh Senedd, said: "This is a victory for common sense and for what is right, and represents a victory for the vast majority people in our country with grave concerns about what is happening to our country.

"Young, undocumented males who break into the UK illegally should NOT be free to walk the streets anywhere. They must be detained and deported.

"The victory in Epping provides hope. Reform councils in England are exploring options to now get injunctions against the govt to get rid of migrant hotels, and Councils in Wales should follow suit."