Getty ImagesThe Home Office will seek to appeal against a High Court judgement which ruled that it must stop housing asylum seekers in a hotel in Essex, security minister Dan Jarvis has said.
The government had warned that the block, meaning it must remove those staying at the Bell Hotel in Epping, could incite further unrest and hinder its legal duties.
On Friday, the Home Office said it was appealing the ruling so that the closure of the hotel – and other asylum hotels – can be “managed and orderly”.
If successful, it will mean that the UK Government can make the decision on when asylum hotels should close.
The Home Office said it is still committed to closing the Bell Hotel and all other asylum hotels as quickly as possible.
Thousands of people turned out in protest outside the hotel in Epping Forest after a man staying there was charged with sexually assaulting a 14-year-old girl.
Demonstrations have also taken place in locations throughout Scotland, including outside Falkirk’s Cladhan hotel.
Following Tuesday’s ruling, Falkirk Council told STV News it was considering the implications of the legal ruling south of the border.
A protest was also held outside the former Patio Hotel in Aberdeen on August 9. A hotel in the Summerhill area of the city was also the target of a recent demonstration.
Other councils in Scotland said they are monitoring the situation.
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