Joint Statement from Dr Neil Hudson MP (Epping Forest) and Alex Burghart MP (Brentwood and Ongar)
The situation regarding the use of asylum hotels in Epping Forest District has become increasingly alarming and distressing in recent days. From the fires at the Phoenix Hotel and Bell Hotel a few weeks ago leading to a man being charged with arson, and now the alleged sexual assaults in Epping last week, leading to a man being charged, our local communities are becoming increasingly distressed. It is becoming more apparent that the Home Office do not have a grasp about the seriousness of this situation with regard to local community safety, or accountability or safeguarding of hotel residents.
Together as neighbouring Constituency MPs, along with Epping Forest District Council, we are calling on the Government to immediately close the Bell and Phoenix Hotels and make alternative arrangements accordingly. We have requested an urgent meeting with the Home Secretary about this situation. The Government needs to get a grip of this issue both locally and nationally. Labour made promises that they would end the use of asylum hotels. They also made promises on illegal immigration, but on their watch this has markedly gone up.
Once again, we are hugely grateful to Essex Police for their work on this situation at this difficult time and that they are increasing their local presence in the vicinity, to reassure our local communities.
