This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c24z0105m24o
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Police make three arrests during Epping protest | Police make three arrests during Epping protest |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| Three men were arrested during a protest outside The Bell Hotel in Epping on Friday, after the Court of Appeal overturned a temporary injunction that blocked asylum seekers from being housed there. | Three men were arrested during a protest outside The Bell Hotel in Epping on Friday, after the Court of Appeal overturned a temporary injunction that blocked asylum seekers from being housed there. |
| Essex Police said the men were arrested on suspicion of different offences - one for violent disorder, one for assaulting a police officer, and another for drink-driving. Two police officers were injured, though not seriously. | Essex Police said the men were arrested on suspicion of different offences - one for violent disorder, one for assaulting a police officer, and another for drink-driving. Two police officers were injured, though not seriously. |
| Assistant Chief Constable Glen Pavelin said that while most protesters had participated safely, "the right to protest does not include a right to commit crime". | Assistant Chief Constable Glen Pavelin said that while most protesters had participated safely, "the right to protest does not include a right to commit crime". |
| The court judgement means that 138 asylum seekers staying at the hotel will not be forced to leave by 12 September. | The court judgement means that 138 asylum seekers staying at the hotel will not be forced to leave by 12 September. |
| Explaining the Court of Appeal decision, Lord Justice Bean said the initial injunction - issued by the High Court - was "seriously flawed in principle". | Explaining the Court of Appeal decision, Lord Justice Bean said the initial injunction - issued by the High Court - was "seriously flawed in principle". |
| Epping Forest District Council, which obtained the injunction, says it will not rule out taking its case against the use of The Bell Hotel to the Supreme Court. | Epping Forest District Council, which obtained the injunction, says it will not rule out taking its case against the use of The Bell Hotel to the Supreme Court. |
| In a statement, Essex Police said it had also enforced a dispersal order for the area around The Bell Hotel until Saturday morning. | In a statement, Essex Police said it had also enforced a dispersal order for the area around The Bell Hotel until Saturday morning. |
| ACC Pavelin added: "My continued plea to those people who want their voices to be heard is to please do that safely and peacefully." | ACC Pavelin added: "My continued plea to those people who want their voices to be heard is to please do that safely and peacefully." |
| Epping has hit the headlines since protests began in July outside the hotel. | Epping has hit the headlines since protests began in July outside the hotel. |
| Tension mounted after an asylum seeker living there was arrested and subsequently charged with several offences including sexual assault on a 14-year-old girl. | Tension mounted after an asylum seeker living there was arrested and subsequently charged with several offences including sexual assault on a 14-year-old girl. |
| Hadush Kebatu, who is from Ethiopia, denies the offences and has been on trial. | Hadush Kebatu, who is from Ethiopia, denies the offences and has been on trial. |
| Police say 28 arrests have been made to date in connection with disorder outside the hotel. | Police say 28 arrests have been made to date in connection with disorder outside the hotel. |
| Laura Fraye and her mother Bonny Pitson think the latest court decision will divide the town | Laura Fraye and her mother Bonny Pitson think the latest court decision will divide the town |
| As protesters gathered outside the hotel again on Friday evening with banners and union jack and England flags, feelings on the High Street were mixed. | As protesters gathered outside the hotel again on Friday evening with banners and union jack and England flags, feelings on the High Street were mixed. |
| Laura Fraye, whose mother lives in Epping, thought the latest judgement would cause "a lot of upset". | Laura Fraye, whose mother lives in Epping, thought the latest judgement would cause "a lot of upset". |
| "It's a bit of a shame but let's hope it's the right decision and things calm down," she said. | "It's a bit of a shame but let's hope it's the right decision and things calm down," she said. |
| Her mother, Bonny Pitson, said while she "would not stand" with the protesters she agreed with them. | Her mother, Bonny Pitson, said while she "would not stand" with the protesters she agreed with them. |
| "It's harmless - it's not spiteful, they're not doing anyone any harm," she said. | "It's harmless - it's not spiteful, they're not doing anyone any harm," she said. |
| Her daughter added: "I suppose if people don't feel heard, they will protest." | Her daughter added: "I suppose if people don't feel heard, they will protest." |
| Kerry Gilroy runs a Facebook group called Epping for Everyone | Kerry Gilroy runs a Facebook group called Epping for Everyone |
| Earlier this month Conservative-run Epping Forest District Council won the temporary injunction against the hotel in the High Court, which ruled asylum seekers could not stay there. | Earlier this month Conservative-run Epping Forest District Council won the temporary injunction against the hotel in the High Court, which ruled asylum seekers could not stay there. |
| It is that injunction that has been overturned at appeal court, meaning migrants can stay. | It is that injunction that has been overturned at appeal court, meaning migrants can stay. |
| Kerry Gilroy, who has lived in the town for 20 years and runs a Facebook group called Epping for Everyone, said: "My group has been really saddened and upset by the protests and the vitriolic statements - and untruths that are being spread about asylum seekers. | Kerry Gilroy, who has lived in the town for 20 years and runs a Facebook group called Epping for Everyone, said: "My group has been really saddened and upset by the protests and the vitriolic statements - and untruths that are being spread about asylum seekers. |
| "We really wanted to try and change the narrative and show that those people protesting don't represent Epping. So far it's been really positively received." | "We really wanted to try and change the narrative and show that those people protesting don't represent Epping. So far it's been really positively received." |
| She said she was pleased about the latest court decision as "for the people in the hotel it gives them consistency, but it's made me very nervous because I think there will be trouble... but I'm really pleased mob rule hasn't been allowed to take over". | She said she was pleased about the latest court decision as "for the people in the hotel it gives them consistency, but it's made me very nervous because I think there will be trouble... but I'm really pleased mob rule hasn't been allowed to take over". |
| She felt the council was "wasting money" by pursuing its claims, which have seen it clash with the Labour government. | She felt the council was "wasting money" by pursuing its claims, which have seen it clash with the Labour government. |
| "Those people are having their cases heard and eventually that hotel will be empty," she added. | "Those people are having their cases heard and eventually that hotel will be empty," she added. |
| Holly Whitbread, a Conservative councillor for Epping, said Friday's news was "deeply disappointing" for many | Holly Whitbread, a Conservative councillor for Epping, said Friday's news was "deeply disappointing" for many |
| Holly Whitbread, Conservative councillor for Epping West, said Friday's news was "deeply disappointing and will feel like a betrayal for many". | Holly Whitbread, Conservative councillor for Epping West, said Friday's news was "deeply disappointing and will feel like a betrayal for many". |
| "The council committed from day one to use every single legal and diplomatic route we could," she said. | "The council committed from day one to use every single legal and diplomatic route we could," she said. |
| She added: "We're taking advice about what else we can do." | She added: "We're taking advice about what else we can do." |
| Stuart Hugh, 36, lives near the Bell Hotel and has attended some of the protests along with his parents. | |
| He said: "I believe illegal immigration is completely out of control, and the government needs to do something to stop it." | |
| He was frustrated by the outbreak of violence among protesters on Friday. | |
| "I think it takes away from the message we are trying to get across – it makes us look like thugs. | |
| "I've lived in Epping for 27 years and it's a very peaceful town. I believe everyone has the right to a peaceful protest, but violence is wrong. | |
| "I'm all for legal migration. If you trace back my family history, I've got two grandparents who are from Sri Lanka, but they came to this country the right way." | |
| Kay (left) and Sonnie Mead said they had mixed views about the new decision | Kay (left) and Sonnie Mead said they had mixed views about the new decision |
| Epping resident Sonnie Mead, 29, said the latest decision "could put people a little bit on edge - it's a weird time and a weird world we're living in". | Epping resident Sonnie Mead, 29, said the latest decision "could put people a little bit on edge - it's a weird time and a weird world we're living in". |
| She had mixed feelings and just wanted everyone to feel safe. | She had mixed feelings and just wanted everyone to feel safe. |
| Her mother, Kay Mead, 61, said: "I'm a bit mixed about asylum seekers being here." | Her mother, Kay Mead, 61, said: "I'm a bit mixed about asylum seekers being here." |
| Asked her reaction to the appeal decision, she said: "I don't think people in Epping will be very pleased." | Asked her reaction to the appeal decision, she said: "I don't think people in Epping will be very pleased." |
| Some others voiced their disappointment over the new ruling. | Some others voiced their disappointment over the new ruling. |
| One woman said: "I don't agree with it as we don't look after our own people before we look after others - our ex-soldiers and everyone, and they're homeless as well, so give them the benefit." | One woman said: "I don't agree with it as we don't look after our own people before we look after others - our ex-soldiers and everyone, and they're homeless as well, so give them the benefit." |
| Steve Turvey, 36, said it was "completely unfair - all the protests - I think they [asylum seekers] deserve to be here, they have every right to be here and I think the reactions of everyone around here is disgusting - it's been jumped on like a bandwagon". | Steve Turvey, 36, said it was "completely unfair - all the protests - I think they [asylum seekers] deserve to be here, they have every right to be here and I think the reactions of everyone around here is disgusting - it's been jumped on like a bandwagon". |
| His partner Sarah said: "I think the ongoing fight and how big Epping has got embroiled in all of this is really upsetting." | His partner Sarah said: "I think the ongoing fight and how big Epping has got embroiled in all of this is really upsetting." |
| Mr Turvey added: "It's not good - but I don't know what the answer is." | Mr Turvey added: "It's not good - but I don't know what the answer is." |
| A full High Court hearing to decide on a permanent injunction for The Bell is expected in mid-October. | A full High Court hearing to decide on a permanent injunction for The Bell is expected in mid-October. |
| Following Friday's judgement, the government has underlined it wants to close asylum hotels in an "orderly way", while saying it is working to relieve pressure on the system. | Following Friday's judgement, the government has underlined it wants to close asylum hotels in an "orderly way", while saying it is working to relieve pressure on the system. |
| Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. | Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. |