Speaking today in the House of Commons, Epping Forest MP Dr Neil Hudson was afforded the opportunity in the Chamber to repeat his calls for the immediate closure of the Bell Hotel in Epping, citing serious public safety concerns.
Dr Hudson’s comments follow a series of deeply troubling incidents, including three alleged sexual assaults, some involving school-aged girls, and an alleged arson attack.
Since last week, protests that began as peaceful demonstrations by local residents have escalated into violent confrontations with many people coming into Epping from outside. These have resulted in injuries to police officers and damage to police vehicles, with hundreds of protestors now involved.
Originally closed in April 2024 by the previous Conservative Government for use as a migrant hotel, the Bell Hotel was reopened earlier this year by the Labour Government to accommodate asylum seekers, against all advice and without local consultation.
In response, Dr Hudson and neighbouring Essex MP for Brentwood and Ongar, Alex Burghart, have jointly requested an urgent meeting with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to discuss their calls for immediate closure of both the Bell Hotel in Epping and the Phoenix Hotel near North Weald. Dr Hudson and Mr Burghart are in lockstep with Epping Forest District Council, who are also calling for the immediate closure of the hotels and have initiated a petition that has secured over 8000 signatures.
In reply to Dr Hudson’s question, Home Office Minister Dame Diana Johnson merely replied that the Government is “committed to closing all hotels by the end of this Parliament.”
In the Chamber, Dr Hudson said:
“Two weeks ago in Epping, there were three alleged sexual assaults, including on school-aged girls, and my thoughts are with the victims, their families, and their peers.
“These were allegedly linked to the Bell Hotel, which has been stood up as an asylum hotel against all advice. Since then, we have had numerous major protests involving hundreds of people, and with injuries to police officers and damage to police vehicles.
“People quite rightly have the right to peaceful protest, but these violent scenes are not us, they are not Epping, and they are not what we stand for.
“I want to thank Essex Police for all that they are doing to keep us safe in these challenging and distressing times for our town.
“Now we have the protests, we have churches cancelling services, businesses closing early, and local residents feeling like they are barricaded in their own homes. The hotel is in the wrong place; it is near a school, and there is inadequate safeguarding of the hotel’s vulnerable residents.
“This is a crisis that is boiling over, and for the sake of community safety, the Home Secretary and the Government must get a grip on this situation. They must listen and act now to close this hotel immediately. Will they now do this?”
Speaking afterwards, Dr Hudson commented:
“The recent events in Epping have been both distressing and alarming. My thoughts are with the victims of the alleged sexual assaults, and with their families and friends.
“This is a distressing time for our community, and I again thank Essex Police for all they are doing to protect our community and keep us safe.
“The Home Office Minister’s response was woefully poor and generic, and she did not answer about the specific closure of this hotel that we are all calling for immediately.
“However, the violent scenes we have witnessed are wholly unacceptable and do not represent us, or Epping, or what we stand for. I encourage our local community to remain calm and united and to follow the guidance provided by Essex Police.
“I strongly urge the Home Secretary to act without delay, to listen to the voices of our community, and close the Bell Hotel as a matter of urgency.”
