Masked men among those attempting to enter London migrant hotel – as five arrested
A group of masked men were among those who attempted to enter a hotel housing asylum seekers in west London.
The men were among larger groups who marched on three migrant hotels in the city on Saturday afternoon. It is unclear if any of the masked men were arrested.
Protests and counter-protests over asylum hotels have taken place across the country this weekend, with two men charged over a demonstration at the Bell Hotel in Epping.
It comes after the government successfully overturned a temporary injunction which would have blocked asylum seekers from being housed at the hotel.
Despite the Court of Appeal decision, at least 13 other councils are considering pressing ahead with legal action over the use of asylum hotels in their areas, according to The Times.
Arrests after protests in west London
Five people were arrested following the demonstrations outside a Crowne Plaza, Novotel, and Holiday Inn in West Drayton.
Sky News correspondent Emma Birchley, who was on the scene, said the protests were peaceful for the vast majority of people.
But the Metropolitan Police said at around noon two anti-asylum groups marched to the Crowne Plaza.
“A group of masked men attempted to enter the hotel via the rear entrance, damaging the security hoarding,” they said.
“Officers were already in attendance and extra officers were deployed to assist.”
Video credit: @qpr_Emma
Police say a “breakaway protest group” moved towards the nearby Novotel in Cherry Lane before some of the crowd moved towards the Holiday Inn.
Five arrests were made, the force said – adding that two officers suffered minor injuries.
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Police officers and protesters outside the Bell Hotel, Epping. Pic: PA
Two charged after protest at Epping hotel
Essex Police said two men were charged after violence erupted at a protest at the Bell Hotel in Epping on Friday.
Jimmy Hillard, 52, of Chequers Road, Loughton, was charged with assaulting an emergency worker and Ross Ellis, 49, of Orchard Croft, Harlow, was charged with failing to provide a specimen.
A third man arrested on suspicion of violent disorder remains in custody, the force said.
Police and protesters outside the Bell Hotel, Epping. Pic: PA
In Scotland, angry activists who descended on a Falkirk hotel were met by hundreds of counter-protesters. Police separated both sides behind barriers.
Meanwhile, Sky News has spoken to protesters who share a sense of anger about the cost of housing asylum seekers in hotels and feel they are ignored by the government. They strongly reject being identified as “fascists” or “far-right thugs”.
