Epping Council loses permission to appeal ruling over asylum seekers at Bell Hotel

Epping Council has been denied the chance to appeal a ruling to the Supreme Court over asylum seekers being housed at the Bell Hotel. The Essex hotel has become the focal point of protests, and counter-protests, in recent weeks after an asylum seeker staying there was charged with sexually assaulting a teenager. He denies the allegation. Epping Forest District Council was last month granted a temporary injunction to stop asylum seekers from being housed at the accommodation - but this was overturned on Friday after legal challenges from the Home Office and the hotel's owner, Somani Hotels. The council has...