ASYLUM-SEEKERS are to be removed from a hotel in Essex after the High Court today granted a “terrible concession” to racist protests organised by the far right.

Epping Forest District Council was granted a temporary injunction blocking migrants from being housed at the Bell Hotel in Epping after arguing that owner Somani Hotels Limited was in breach of planning rules.

The court heard that the site has been the centre of a series of protests in recent weeks after an asylum-seeker who was staying there was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.

Mr Justice Eyre said that while the council had not “definitively established” that Somani Hotels had breached planning rules, “the strength of the claimant’s case is such that it weighs in favour” of granting the injunction.

His judgment added that the “risk of injustice is greater” if a temporary injunction was not granted.

Stand Up to Racism co-convener Sabby Dhalu said: “This is a terrible concession to racist protests organised by fascists. It will embolden the far right and encourage yet more protests to close down more hotels housing refugees. 

“People have the right to seek asylum. Britain takes a minority of the world’s refugees and those that come here must be able to live in peace and not be threatened with racist violence.” 

Piers Riley-Smith, for Somani Hotels, said that disagreement with government policy did not justify a “draconian” injunction that would cause hardship to the company and those housed at the hotel.

Before the judgment was handed down, Mr Justice Eyre dismissed a Home Office’s bid to intervene in the case as “not necessary.”

Several protests and counter-protests have been held in the town since a then-resident at the hotel was accused of trying to kiss a teenage girl.

Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu has denied charges against him and is due to stand trial later this month.

A second man who resides at the hotel, Syrian national Mohammed Sharwarq, has separately been charged with seven offences, while several other men have been charged over disorder outside the hotel.

The council said last week that it was seeking an injunction due to “unprecedented levels of protest and disruption” in connection with asylum-seeker accommodation.

Somani Hotels was not allowed to challenge the ruling but could still ask the Court of Appeal for the go-ahead to appeal.

A further hearing on whether the injunction should be made permanent is expected to be held at a later date.