Lee Anderson has said he has confirmation that a four-star hotel in London’s Docklands will soon be used to house asylum seekers, angrily asking: “What are we playing at?” The Reform MP for Ashfield shared a clip in which he said the situation made him “absolutely furious” as he demanded answers from the authorities.
Monday night’s protest saw dozens of demonstrators gather outside the Britannia International hotel waving flags, shouting slogans and clashing briefly with counter-protesters. A significant police presence, including at least 12 tactical support vans and a helicopter overhead, was dispatched to the scene. Police reportedly moved counter-protesters for their own safety as tensions flared.
Speaking outside the hotel, Mr Anderson delivered a scathing assessment of what he had seen and heard on the ground.
He said: “I just spoke to the local commander and he tells me the rooms are being prepared to accept asylum seekers.
“Absolutely furious…this hotel here, by the way, must cost a couple of hundred quid a night to stay here.
“Most normal people in this country would not even be able to afford to come and stay here for a weekend but illegals are coming in.
“I hope the protests remain peaceful and we don’t get any bother, they seem like a quiet bunch at the moment. Let’s hope it’s all peaceful.”
Mr Anderson shared his clip on X, adding: “500 rooms here. What are we playing at?”
A Home Office spokesman confirmed that asylum seekers are being housed at the hotel.
Booking websites indicated that the hotel was not taking reservations at this time, and videos posted online show tourists being turned away at the entrance.
The incident in Canary Wharf follows a wave of protests in recent weeks, most notably in Epping, Essex, where there were angry scenes at the weekend and several arrests.
On Wednesday, it was confirmed that police had actually escorted the counter-protesters to the site in the first place.
Protests at hotels believed to house asylum seekers have surged since early July, reflecting broader unrest over the government’s handling of illegal migration and asylum accommodation.
Many demonstrators express frustration over the perceived prioritisation of migrants over British citizens when it comes to housing and public resources—concerns which figures like Mr Anderson have echoed in Parliament and on social media.
The government has pledged to end the use of hotels by 2029, claiming the current system costs taxpayers £8 million a day.
This year has also seen the UK record more than 15,000 small boat crossings in just over six months, according to the latest Home Office data.
Despite new legislation and increased cooperation with French authorities, crossings continue at a steady pace, with 282 arrivals recorded on Sunday alone.
The Government has also introduced new sanctions targeting international people-smuggling gangs.
Foreign Secretary David Lammy declared: “We know who you are, and we will work with our partners around the world to hold you to account.”