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Keir Starmer urged to close Bell Hotel ‘once and for all’ in desperate plea from Epping MP

Sir Keir Starmer has been urged to shut the Bell Hotel in Epping “once and for all” after a series of protests rocked the local community.

Last month, a demonstration outside the building housing asylum seemers culminated in two individuals being arrested after a police officer was injured during an otherwise peaceful protest.

But residents have been disturbed by months of unrest after the arrest and jailing of a migrant sex offender who was residing there at the time of the vile crime against a 14-year-old girl.

Hadush Kebatu, who arrived to Britain by small boat, was later mistakenly released from HMP Chelmsford on October 24, sparking a three-day-long nationwide manhunt and a pounding headache for the Labour Government.

The sex pest was then detained and deported the following week, but not before the Government handed him £500 to leave the country.

Last November, a landmark case heard by the High Court allowed asylum seekers to continue living at the Essex hotel, reigniting weekly peaceful protests outside the offending hotel.

Speaking on behalf of his constituents in the Commons today, Dr Hudson said: “Prime Minister, for months, our communities in Epping have been deeply distressed by the Bell Hotel re-opening as an asylum hotel.

“My thoughts remain with the victims of the sexual assaults, including the 14-year-old Epping schoolgirl.

Dr Neil Hudson addressed the Prime Minister during PMQs

“That trauma compounded by the offender’s mistaken release from prison.

“Weekly protests continue – some of which have become violent with injuries to 10 brave police officers.

“I am very grateful to the Asylum Minister for meeting with me recently about this untenable situation. But will the Prime Minister please listen now?

“Close the Bell Hotel once and for all and help restore our town of Epping,” the Epping Forest MP demanded.

BRITAIN’S MIGRANT CRISIS – READ MORE:

Sir Keir Starmer during PMQs

But his plea was to no avail, with the Prime Minister simply citing his Government’s pledge to end the use of asylum hotels by 2029.

“As he knows, we are committed to ending the use of all hotels. There are now just under 200 compared to the 400 under the previous Government and where military sites are used,” the Labour leader declared.

He added: “Safety and security of local communities is our priority.”

November’s Home Office statistics revealed 36,273 were residing in temporary accommodation throughout September while awaiting a decision on asylum claims, a 13 per cent jump from June’s figures.

Another option for asylum seekers awaiting decision include using former military barracks, such as those in Crowborough and Inverness, HMOs and a possible council housing pilot.

Crowborough is the latest leafy town to become ridden with anti-migrant marches while families and other concerned locals taking to the town centre to protest against Labour’s decision.

Last Thursday, the first migrants were moved into the Crowborough Training Camp while rain lashed down across the south east overnight.

Labour has admitted this figure would grow with plans to send in more than 500 male migrants into the disused facility.

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