Epping Council refused permission to appeal ruling over asylum seekers at The Bell Hotel in Supreme Court: meanwhile protest leader charged with trumped up charge.

September 3, 2025

From the London Evening Standard and The Telegraph

Epping Forest District Council has been denied the chance to appeal a ruling in the Supreme Court over asylum seekers being housed at The Bell Hotel.

The Court of Appeal on Tuesday refused the application of the local authority in Essex to appeal to the higher court over its decision to continue to allow it to be used as a migrant hotel.

The council confirmed on Monday it had taken the next steps to appeal the decision with a request to appeal to the Supreme Court.

In a statement, the council said: “no reasons were given” for the refusal of its application. “It is now open for the council to ask the Supreme Court itself for permission to appeal against the judgment of the Court of Appeal,” it added. “The council has consistently opposed the use of The Bell Hotel to place asylum-seekers, which is in breach of planning control and is against the interests of those living in, working in and using the area.”

Conservative council leader Chris Whitbread commented: “We believe the Court of Appeal decision to overturn the interim injunction for the closure of the Bell Hotel was wrong. The Court of Appeal judges appear to have placed the (home secretary Yvette Cooper’s) duties towards asylum seekers above those of the council to uphold the planning system.”

He insisted that this is “not the end of the matter”, adding: “We consider we have a strong case for a final injunction. The final injunction hearing is expected to be heard some time in early October.”

Meanwhile, after the most recent demonstration on Sunday evening

A woman has been charged after unfurling a Union flag at a protest near the Bell Hotel in Epping. Sarah White was charged 48 hours after being arrested at the demonstration on Sunday night, which attracted hundreds of people.

Footage posted online showed her being pulled away from a ledge on the first floor of Epping Forest district council’s offices, where she had been holding the flag.

The 40-year-old, a mother of five, was held and put into the back of a police van outside the offices for not obeying the conditions of the demonstration. She was held overnight as well – the full 24 hours before bail granted. Sledgehammer. nut. crack.

On Tuesday, police said the businesswoman had been charged with failing to comply with the conditions of participation of a procession and being a public procession organiser failing to comply with a notice.

Ms White is due to appear at Chelmsford magistrates’ court on Oct 15, and has been released on conditional bail until then.

The Reform UK member had claimed officers almost broke her arm, and said she was considering legal action against Essex Police. After her release from custody on Monday night, she told The Telegraph: “I was one click away from my arm being broken. It’s disgusting.”

Two other people were arrested on the night. An Essex Police spokesman said: “Scott Davey, 32, of Nazeing, was also arrested on suspicion of breaching a Section 14 order and has been charged with failing to comply with the conditions of participation in a public assembly. He has been released on conditional bail and is due to appear at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Oct 31. A 22-year-old man from Epping, who was arrested on suspicion of inciting racial hatred and racially or religiously aggravated criminal damage, has been released on conditional bail until Nov 28. . . ”

Asst Chief Constable Stuart Hooper said: “. . . There has been suggestion on social media that we made an arrest on Sunday because someone unfurled a flag. I want to be really clear – that is categorically wrong. Any suggestion that this was the case is completely false. . . ”

Epping Council refused permission to appeal ruling over asylum seekers at The Bell Hotel in Supreme Court: meanwhile protest leader charged with trumped up charge.

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Epping Council refused permission to appeal ruling over asylum seekers at The Bell Hotel in Supreme Court: meanwhile protest leader charged with trumped up charge.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

A genuine literary magazine. NER combines courageous values with excellent writing—really smart, very creative and entertaining. — Andrew Klavan

New English Review Press is a priceless cultural institution. — Bruce Bawer

A genuine literary magazine. NER combines courageous values with excellent writing—really smart, very creative and entertaining.
— Andrew Klavan

New English Review Press is a priceless cultural institution.
— Bruce Bawer