Court rules asylum seekers must be moved from UK hotel | BBC News

Asylum seekers are due to be removed from a hotel in Essex, UK after Epping Forest District Council was granted a temporary High Court injunction blocking them from being housed there.

Thousands of people protested near the hotel in recent weeks after an asylum seeker from Ethiopia living there and was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl in the town.

All asylum seekers must be moved out of the hotel by 16:00 BST on 12 September, the judge ruled.

The Home Office had warned the decision would "substantially impact" its ability to house asylum seekers in hotels across the UK.

Protests staged outside The Bell Hotel have been attended by both people against its use for asylum seekers and those in support of migrant rights.

41-year-old Hadush Kebatu, from Ethiopia, was charged with sexual assault, harassment and inciting a girl to engage in sexual activity however, he denied the offences and remained in custody ahead of a two-day trial, due to begin next Tuesday.

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Post from BBC News on August 19, 2025

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