Residents Boycott Council Tax Over Asylum Seekers at Local Hotel

Residents in Epping, England, have initiated a boycott of their council tax payments in response to a recent court ruling allowing asylum seekers to remain at the Bell Hotel. The decision, made by the Court of Appeal on September 12, 2023, overturned a prior injunction that required the removal of 138 migrants from the hotel, sparking anger among local residents who feel their safety is compromised.

The controversy surrounding the hotel has intensified following a reported incident involving an Ethiopian migrant, Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, who faces charges of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl and another woman. Kebatu, 38, has denied the charges and is currently on trial at Colchester Magistrates Court. Local residents express deep concern for their safety, with many believing that their council tax is being used to support a facility housing alleged offenders.

Sarah White, a mother of three living in the area, articulated her frustration, stating, “What is the point of paying our council tax if it is being directly used to fund a place which houses alleged sex attackers?” Another resident, who chose to remain anonymous, expressed a willingness to face imprisonment for their beliefs, highlighting a sentiment of urgency among the community. “The feeling is so strong that the threat of prison does not worry me. I will go to jail for this,” they declared.

The boycott follows a series of protests over the summer, where residents voiced their concerns about the hotel. Sarah Corner, a 20-year-old local, echoed these sentiments, stating, “We need to take a stand. Enough is enough. Our taxes are funding the hotel, the police, and all the costs associated with it. That’s not what it should be for.”

In contrast, Khadar Mohamed, a 24-year-old Somali asylum seeker currently residing at the Bell Hotel, welcomed the court’s ruling. He expressed gratitude towards the government, stating, “I want to say thank you Keir Starmer and his Government. I am delighted with the news, wow. That is really amazing.”

Another hearing regarding the case is scheduled for next month. Epping Forest District Council has indicated that it may appeal to the Supreme Court if the ruling is not overturned. The council has committed to pursuing all available avenues, stating, “We will continue to fight on every front, using the democratic, diplomatic, legal, and political means available, until the hotel is closed.”

Local Conservative councillor Holly Whitbread has urged residents to reconsider their boycott and direct their frustrations towards the government instead. She stated that withholding council tax payments would not resolve the issues at hand.

The situation has attracted political attention, with Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, criticizing the decision to allow the asylum seekers to stay at the hotel. He claimed that “Illegal migrants have more rights than the British people under Starmer,” while his deputy, Richard Tice, argued that judicial decisions have favored “illegal migrants against British people.”

As local tensions rise, the community remains divided over the presence of asylum seekers in Epping and the implications for public safety and local governance.