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Farage hails victory as councils consider legal action over asylum hotels

Police scuffle with protesters outside hotel housing immigrants

Epping Forest District Council secured an interim High Court injunction to prevent asylum seekers from being housed at The Bell Hotel, citing it had become a "feeding ground for unrest" after violent protests.
The injunction followed a series of protests at the hotel, including one where an asylum seeker staying there was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper made a last-minute attempt to halt the injunction, warning that other councils might make similar applications.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage hailed the High Court decision as a "victory" and indicated that the 12 councils where Reform UK is the largest party would consider similar legal challenges.
Conservative-run Broxbourne borough council announced it is considering pursuing its own injunction against an asylum hotel, while South Norfolk District Council is using planning rules to manage accommodation.