Government wins right to appeal against Bell Hotel closure for asylum seekers

The Court of Appeal has overturned a decision on whether asylum seekers can be housed at the Bell Hotel in Epping.

The owners of the Essex hotel challenged a High Court ruling alongside the Home Office which stopped asylum seekers from being housed there beyond September 12.

Lord Justice Bean, Lady Justice Nicola Davies and Lord Justice Cobb have now handed down their verdict at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

Reading a summary of the ruling, Lord Justice Bean said: ‘We should say at the outset what this appeal is not about.

‘It is not concerned with the merits of government policy in relation to the provision of accommodation for asylum seekers in hotels or otherwise.’

The judges have now agreed that the Home Office can intervene and appeal the case, saying the government depa