"Nick Robinson reminded Chris Philp that he, as immigration minister under the Conservative government, opened up the use of the Bell Hotel in Epping for the use of housing asylum seekers during a live interview on BBC Radio 4 on Monday, 1 September. Labour's use of asylum hotels has led to widespread protests over the summer. Asylum seekers were moved into hotels during the coronavirus pandemic."
"Who was the minister who opened the Bell Hotel to asylum seekers without consulting the community? Do you by any chance remember?, Mr Robinson pressed Mr Philp. Mr Philp began to explain, Well, the last government did open that hotel, before Mr Robinson interjected with, It was you, you were the immigration minister, you did it."
Chris Philp, as immigration minister, opened the Bell Hotel in Epping to house asylum seekers without consulting the local community. Asylum seekers were moved into hotels during the coronavirus pandemic. Labour's use of asylum hotels prompted widespread protests over the summer. During a live BBC Radio 4 broadcast on 1 September, Philp was pressed on who authorised the hotel and was directly identified as the minister who approved its use. The exchange focused attention on past government decisions about accommodation for asylum seekers and local consultation processes.
Read at www.independent.co.uk
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