Tensions Flare as Protest Erupts Outside London Hotel Set to House Asylum Seekers

Download IPFS

A protest outside the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf on Tuesday night drew a visible police presence, amid growing public concern over the government’s use of high-end hotels for housing asylum seekers. The demonstration highlights increasing tensions over the handling of the United Kingdom’s asylum and immigration system.

The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) confirmed that officers were dispatched to manage the situation as demonstrators gathered outside the four-star hotel. A police spokesperson said, “We have a policing plan in place and will continue to monitor events.” The protest, though largely peaceful, reflects broader unrest seen in other areas of the country as similar accommodations are repurposed for migrant housing.

According to Tower Hamlets Council, the government has decided to use the Britannia International Hotel as temporary accommodation for asylum seekers. A council representative stated, “We are aware of the government’s decision… It is important that the government ensures that there is a full package of support for those staying at the hotel.” The council said it is coordinating with the Home Office and partner organizations to implement necessary safety and safeguarding measures.

The event drew sharply divided responses from political figures. Reform UK Chief Whip Lee Anderson, in a video posted from near the hotel, expressed outrage: “Canary Wharf. The International Hotel is now in lockdown as they prepare for an influx of illegal migrants. 500 rooms here. What are we playing at?” His comments echo the frustrations of many who question both the transparency and practicality of current immigration policies.

Meanwhile, independent Member of Parliament (MP) Apsana Begum, representing Poplar and Limehouse, responded via social media platform X (formerly Twitter), saying: “Refugees are welcome here… We continue to stand with migrants for their rights to safety and dignity.” She attributed the backlash to “far-right” groups and labeled their views as “hateful ideology.”

This latest demonstration follows a series of protests in Epping, Essex, outside the Bell Hotel, another government-designated asylum facility. The protests intensified earlier this month after Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, a 38-year-old asylum seeker, was charged with sexual assault involving a 14-year-old girl. Kebatu has denied the charge and appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court last Thursday.

In connection to those Essex protests, four men have been charged with violent disorder, according to Essex Police. The incidents have raised fresh concerns over community safety, accountability, and the wider consequences of housing vulnerable populations in unsecured, often unsuitable locations.

As the country continues to face record numbers of asylum claims and border pressures, the debate around where and how to accommodate asylum seekers remains deeply divisive. With emotions running high and public trust in government institutions wavering, the need for a clear, consistent, and secure immigration strategy is becoming ever more urgent.