Councils across England are considering legal action over the use of hotels to house asylum seekers following a landmark ruling in the High Court .

Epping Forest District Council in Essex asked a judge to intervene after continued protests outside The Bell Hotel following the alleged sexual assault of a 14-year-old girl by a migrant staying there.

Mr Justice Eyre granted an interim injunction because he agreed that the owners Somani Hotels did not have the required planning permission for use of the premises as a hostel, rather than a hotel.

Asylum seekers must be removed from the hotel by 12 September.

Chris Whitbread, leader of Epping Forest council, said he was “delighted” with the ruling and added that it is a decision which is important to “councils up and down the country”.

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