‘Close the hotels and let us work’ says Epping asylum seeker

An asylum seeker who has been living at The Bell Hotel in Epping for four months has told the BBC “let them close all the hotels and let’s get people work”.

Mohammed, from Somalia, said a camp or regular housing “would be better” and he and other asylum seekers wanted to support themselves by working.

Around 140 migrants at The Bell Hotel will have to be moved to alternative accommodation by 12 September after the High Court granted a temporary injunction preventing asylum seekers staying there.

Border Security Minister Dame Angela Eagle said “work continues to close all asylum hotels by the end of this Parliament”.

Mohammed. who is in his 40s, is waiting for a decision on whether he can remain in the UK.

He said some migrants “are fighting each other in the hotel”.

“So, if you cannot work and you don’t have enough socials [things to do], it is difficult,” he said.

“They are not allowed to work; they stay for long time.

“We don’t have guarantee [of becoming a] resident, so they get stress.

“The people, they go outside and they try to make problem.”

In the UK, asylum seekers are not generally permitted to work, but can apply for permission to if their claim has been waiting for over 12 months without fault on their part.

A government spokesperson has said there were “no plans to change the existing rules”.

The latest Home Office figures show there were 199 asylum seekers staying in hotels in the Epping Forest area at the end of June.

Two asylum seekers have been remanded in custody while waiting for court action.

Hadush Kebatu, 41, is charged with trying to incite a local teenage girl into sexual activity.

Mohammed Sharwarq, 32, a Syrian national who has been living at The Bell, faces assault charges and one charge of sexual assault.

Protests staged outside The Bell Hotel, owned by Somani Hotels Limited, have been attended by people against its use for asylum seekers and by those in support of migrant rights.

Sixteen people have been charged with offences relating to disturbances during several protests, which Essex Police said became violent on occasion.

Epping residents are divided. Some have described the protests “as a stain on Epping” whilst others are concerned about the safety of children.

Mohammed said he sympathised with concerned residents and the protesters.

“Let them close, everywhere, hotels.

“Let’s get people work so we can take care of ourselves, not stay in hotel. You will not do nothing.”

Mohammed said he was pleased Epping Forest District Council was granted a High Court injunction against Somani Hotels that will, temporarily at least, close the hotel to migrants like him.

“I would like to say ‘let them close all the hotels and people can stay’, let them stay [elsewhere] and go and work, find a job, not stay a long time at hotel and sleep.

“We are not a tourist. We like to go like to single houses, or a camp or different places, but not a hotel.”

Dame Angela Eagle MP added in a statement: “This government inherited a broken asylum system, at the peak there were over 400 hotels open.

“We will continue working with local authorities and communities to address legitimate concerns.”