Local residents in the Isle of Dogs are “frightened of being in their own homes” as a nearby luxury hotel reportedly prepares to host illegal Channel migrants. As news emerged on Tuesday, migrants could be housed in a hotel in Canary Wharf, London, locals gathered outside the building to voice their concerns and opposition.
Lorraine Kavanagh, 70, who has been a charity worker for over four decades, speaking during a protest held outside the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf, London, said: “We serve over 1,000 people a week in the food bank and the majority of those are working and they still can’t afford to come in here for one night, for an anniversary, for a birthday. We have pensioners that are now terrified to even sit in their living rooms with their window open, because they are terrified. Whether it’s scaremongering, we are not sure.” Ms Kavanagh went on to say parents should not be “terrified” of their children playing out in the streets after schools broke up this week.
Lorraine was part of a large demonstration against the site being used to house Channel asylum seekers. The protest, likely to concern the Government, emerged after workmen were seen carrying in beds and food supplies into the hotel and the local council confirmed the Home Office’s plans to house migrants at the four-star site.
Tower Hamlets Council 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.”
The Home Office has told the Express that the only update they can provide at present is that there are “currently” no asylum seekers at the Britannia Hotel. When asked if there were plans to house people there in the future, a spokesperson said they “can’t confirm that”, and repeated that “at the moment, there are no asylum seekers residing there”.
The protests outside the Britannia last night came hot on the heels of bitter demonstrations in Epping, Essex. On July 17, riot officers had to be deployed as demonstrators attacked police vehicles and threw missiles at cops.
The Express was at the demonstration, where we learned lots of activists causing mayhem were not from Epping but had travelled in to hijack local residents’ concerns about migrants being housed in the three-star Bell Hotel. Other people were seen streaming the carnage live on social media.