Two charged following Epping protest as more demonstrations planned after asylum hotel ruling.

Although the Home Office won the court fight, the political consequences for the government might be severe, according to ITV News Political Correspondent Shehab Khan.

Two men have been charged after a protest outside an asylum seeker motel in Epping on Friday night, according to Essex Police.

Ross Ellis, 49, of Orchard Croft in Harlow, was charged with failing to give a specimen and appeared at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on Saturday.

Jimmy Hillard, 52, of Chequers Road, Loughton, has been charged with assaulting an emergency worker and is scheduled to appear in Chelmsford Magistrates Court on Monday.

A third man detained on charges of violent conduct is still in jail. On Friday, the government won a Court of Appeal challenge to an order that would have required asylum seekers to leave the Bell Hotel in Epping, setting a precedent for legal battles in other councils.

Ministers are ready for more court battles and persistent protests over the use of hotels to host asylum seekers across the country.

Despite the Court of Appeal’s judgement, at least 13 other councils are considering taking legal action against the use of asylum hotels in their districts, according to The Times.

In recent weeks, Epping’s Bell Hotel has been the site of multiple protests and counter-protests after an asylum seeker lodged there was charged with sexually abusing a teenage girl last month. He’s disputed the charges.

On Friday evening, a small group of demonstrators flying England and Union flags gathered outside, while police officers guarded the entry.

Assistant Chief Constable Glen Pavelin stated that, while “protest is a democratic right,” it “does not include the right to commit a crime.” He continued, “The intensity of feeling in Epping over the summer is not lost on me.

My continuous urge to individuals who want to be heard is to do so in a safe and peaceful manner.

Speaking on Saturday morning, he said there would be a continued police presence in the area throughout Saturday.

On Saturday, there will be numerous rallies and counter-protests throughout the United Kingdom, notably in Leeds, Gloucester, Stockport, Stevenage, and Exeter. A group calling itself the Great British National Protest announced that they would organise rallies on Saturday and every “foreseeable” Saturday, including outside the Home Office in Westminster.

Epping Forest District Council stated that they were “ruling nothing out,” including pursuing their request for a temporary injunction to the Supreme Court. The council may still be granted an injunction following a complete hearing on the legal matter, which is scheduled for October.

Several other councils are reportedly considering taking legal action against the usage of asylum motels in their districts.

Somani Hotels, which owns the Epping facility, and the Home Office won their appeal against the High Court decision on Friday, which would have prevented 138 asylum seekers from being housed there.

Lord Justice Bean, one of the justices who issued the ruling on Friday, challenged Mr Justice Eyre’s prior decision to prohibit the Bell Hotel from housing asylum seekers.

He cautioned, “this runs the risk of acting as an impetus or incentive for further protests.”

“At worst, seeing even illegal protests as meaningful runs the risk of inciting more lawlessness.

“The judge does not appear to have considered this risk,” he told the court.

The judges also stated that the decision to deny the Home Office’s request to intervene in the case was “erroneous”. In a summary of their ruling, Lord Justice Bean stated that the Home Office had a “constitutional role relating to public safety” and was impacted by the difficulties. He went further:

“The judge’s approach ignores the obvious consequence that the closure of one site means capacity needs to be identified elsewhere in the system.” He went on to say that such an order “may incentivise” other councils to take similar steps as Epping Forest District Council.

One protester who emerged outside the Bell Hotel on Friday warned the PA News Agency that the Court of Appeal ruling could spark civil disorder.

Carmen, who was dressed in a pink top with the words “Pink Ladies Say, The Only Way is Epping, Send Them Home,” said, “We come every week to march and protest, and today’s decision is just devastating, absolutely devastating.”

It will most likely create civil turmoil.” Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter for ITV News’ exclusive and original coverage.

Every Friday morning, it arrives directly in your email. In nearby Cheshunt, Hertfordshire, a YouTube video showed dozens of demonstrators behind barriers near the Delta Marriott hotel, which has previously housed asylum seekers.

Police stood in front of the barriers, and certain roads were stopped. Counter-protesters from Stand Up To Racism were also present.

At one point, demonstrators appeared to scuffle with police. Councillor Corina Gander, head of Broxbourne Council in Hertfordshire, stated on Thursday that she “remains concerned” about the impact of the Delta Marriott hotel on local services.

The council stated that it has obtained legal advice over the use of the hotel and expects to initiate enforcement measures.

“This action will help us to meet our objective of seeking the closure of the Delta Marriott hotel for housing asylum seekers,” said Gander, a council member.

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