A Daily Express reporter was told to “f***k off” by pro-migrant protesters outside a London asylum hotel on Friday. Aggressive protesters with Stand Up to Racism approached our reporter Lotti O’Brien as she covered protests outside the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf.
While on the scene, the Express asked one counter-protester, who had been asked to leave the scene by police earlier in the day, why he was holding up a picture of Prince Andrew in her face. It was then that a man with long hair, wearing a cap and brown clothing, told our reporter to “f*** off” before walking away.
Protests have been held by anti-migrant crowds for two days straight amid reports that the Britannia Hotel will be used to house asylum seekers.
Daily Express reporter Lotti O’Brien reported from the scene: “We’re currently outside the Britannia International Hotel, which is reportedly set to house migrants. This is yet another day of protest where people have taken to the streets. Stand Up to Racism protesters are already here to counter the anti-immigration protest, which is set to take place. It’s only just started, and you can already hear them shouting ‘fascist scum off our streets’, ‘Nazi scum in the water’, but there’s a real strong police presence. We’ll wait and see what happens.”
On Wednesday night, Stand Up to Racism posted on X, announcing a “defend refugees emergency mobilisation” event on X, formerly Twitter, starting at 6pm on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, protesters were met with a small group of counter-protesters, including organiser and Green Councillor Nathalie Bienfait.
Footage showed the councillor being verbally abused while surrounded by the large crowd of anti-migrant protesters.
Following the protest, she said: “It was very important we were there. I’m shocked [at] that level of aggression in Tower Hamlets on that issue, when Tower Hamlets was built on the shoulders of migrants.”
Tower Hamlets Council has said the Home Office intends to use the Britannia to house asylum seekers.
In a statement, they said:“We are aware of the Government’s decision to use the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf to provide temporary accommodation for asylum seekers.
“It is important that the Government ensures that there is a full package of support for those staying at the hotel.
“We are working with the Home Office and partners to make sure that all necessary safety and safeguarding arrangements are in place.”
On Friday, the Home Office said the new Failure to Travel policy is designed to tackle non-compliance by asylum seekers and will ensure individuals who are moved from hotels to suitable alternative accommodation must take it.