Epping Forest MP repeats calls for closure of "migrant" hotel after violent demonstrations
Protests outside the Bell Hotel begun after a man believed to be staying there was charged with sexual assault
The MP for Epping Forest is calling for a hotel believed to be housing asylum seekers to be closed down, after a series of violent demonstrations.
There has been a series of protests outside The Bell Hotel on High Road, Epping, which began peacefully but escalated to the point of disorder and criminal damage.
A total of five men have now been charged after incidents of violent disorder.
Neil Hudson, the MP for Epping Forest since 2024, tells Greatest Hits Radio he's calling on the Home Office to close the hotel "urgently".
"I've raised the significant safeguarding and management issues within this hotel to the Home Office.
"We have distressed and fearful residents.
"This is the wrong hotel in the wrong place: the management is not sufficient, it's near a school, it's not safe for it to keep open.
"I'm urging to the home secretary to act quickly and close this hotel now."
Mr Hudson addressed the House of Commons on 21 July and repeated his calls for closure.
The former MP for Penrith and The Border has condemned the violence that has taken place in his constituency.
"These violent scenes of people coming in from outside of Epping, hijacking peaceful protests, is unacceptable.
"Residents are deeply upset and very unsettled by this violence in our small Essex town.
"Many feel barricaded in their own homes."
Residents have said the violence has been "brewing" for a while.
Peaceful protests began outside the Bell Hotel after a man, believed to be a resident, was charged with multiple counts of sexual assault.
Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu denied the charges at Chelmsford Crown Court on 17 July, including trying to kiss a 14-year-old girl.
Essex police say "there will continue to be a very visible policing presence in Epping to ensure the safety of our community and to hear concerns raised."
We've contacted the Home Office for comment.