PROTESTS against migrant hotels have continued across UK cities today, with demonstrators calling for an end to the crisis.
It comes following a landmark ruling on the use of the Epping hotel.
A number of cities will see demonstrations over the weekend, primarily centred on asylum hotels, with an estimated 27 protests expected over the bank holiday weekend.
A protest at Castle Park in Bristol saw mounted police officers clashing with demonstrators.
The demonstration was led by Abolish Asylum System, with anti-racism counter protesters also present.
Another protest in Horley, Surrey saw around 200 anti-immigration protesters draped in St George’s and Union flags.
They were opposed by roughly 50 Stand Up to Racism protesters.
Those in the Stand Up to Racism rally could be seen carrying a sign that reads: “The enemy doesn’t arrive by boat, it arrives by limousine.”
Police are separating the two groups.
Further protests are taking place outside the New Bridge Hotel in Newcastle.
Anti-immigration could be seen carrying Union Jacks as they faced off against police.
One woman could be seen carrying a sign that reads “fairness isn’t extremism”, with a St George’s flag donned like a cape.
The protests come following a ruling earlier this week on the use of the Bell Hotel in Epping.
Following weeks of protests outside the hotel, the High Court ruled that it must remove migrants staying there, on the basis that it broke planning permission.
The Home Office has since launched an appeal against the decision in the hopes of continuing its use as a home for asylum seekers.
Controversy has surrounded the asylum hotel scheme since a migrant housed at The Bell Hotel was accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl – which he denies.
Labour MP Steve Yemm has called on the Government to find a different approach to border control.
This included proposals like return hubs overseas, and new bilateral agreements.
It would mean sending migrants to a separate country where they would stay even if their asylum claim was upheld.
Yesterday saw ten hotels across the country taken over by protests.
Today’s protests are set to take place in Bristol, Exeter, Tamworth, Cannock, Nuneaton, Liverpool, Wakefield, Newcastle, Horley and Canary Wharf.
There will be further protests in Aberdeen and Perth in Scotland today, as well as in Mold in Flintshire, Wales.
Kemi Badenoch encouraged Conservative council leaders to follow in the footsteps of the Epping ruling “if your legal advice supports it”.
A Labour spokesperson responded: “This is desperate and hypocritical nonsense from the architects of the broken asylum system.
“Under the Tories, the number of asylum hotels in use rose as high as 400.
“There are now half that and 20,000 fewer asylum seekers in hotels than at their peak.
“We have removed over 35,000 people with no right to be in the UK and are putting in the hard graft to smash the gangs running the vile small boats trade.”
