A group of migrants in the early hours of Saturday moved into the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf, London.
Photos from the scene showed a bus arriving at the hotel and dropping off the group under the cover of night, just days after protests erupted over the site’s proposed use as temporary accommodation for asylum seekers.
The protests, which took place in late July, followed reports that the government planned to house migrants at the four-star hotel. Demonstrators from both sides of the debate, including members of the group Stand Up To Racism, gathered outside the hotel in response.
Tower Hamlets Council confirmed it had been informed of the Government’s decision to use the hotel. A council spokesperson stated:
“We are aware of the government’s decision to use the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf to provide temporary accommodation for asylum seekers. It is important that the government ensures there is a full package of support for those staying at the hotel. We are working with the Home Office and partners to make sure that all necessary safety and safeguarding arrangements are in place.”
The Britannia protest follows similar demonstrations outside another asylum hotel in Epping, Essex. That location drew controversy earlier this month when an Ethiopian asylum seeker staying there was charged with sexually assaulting a schoolgirl shortly after arriving in the UK.
The broader issue of asylum seeker accommodation was raised with Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a recent session with the Liaison Committee of MPs. Concerns were voiced over potential competition between migrants and homeless individuals for housing.
In response, the Prime Minister criticised the previous administration, saying:
“I know, which is why I am so furious at the last Government for leaving tens of thousands of asylum seekers unprocessed, with nowhere to live other than accommodation paid for by the taxpayer.”
He added that the government is working to identify housing stock and coordinate with local authorities to address the issue.
