Pro-migrant protesters have been pelted with eggs outside an asylum seeker hotel in London. Crowds of protesters have swarmed the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf on Wednesday after it emerged the Government would use it to house asylum seekers.
Pictures show eggs smashed on the floor near pro-migrant and Stand Up to Racism protesters. Up to 70 protesters were present at the height of the protest, as well as up to 40 police officers who lined the pavements. Footage shows a group of anti-migrant protesters clashing with some officers before standing back.
Some protesters stood back while holding signs which read: “Stop calling us far right. Protect our women and children.” Others chanted “paedophile protectors” while some branded police as “the bad guys”.
Hotel staff were seen taking beds into the hotel earlier on Wednesday, but the Home Office is yet to confirm whether migrants will be moved in. However, Tower Hamlets 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.”
Steve, who has lived in the area for 48 years, said the migrant hotel will make current issues worse. The 73-year-old said: “It disgusts me to see this. It used to be really nice on here.
“There’s going to be a lot of trouble soon. This is only escalating the troubles really. There’s stabbings, fights. There’s always fights, muggings, rapes.
“The is the most police you’ll ever see on this island in one go lucky you’ll see the one car going round.”
Army veteran Terry James Humm, who lives in Poplar, is protesting as he “disagrees” with housing asylum seekers at the hotel. The 57-year-old explained: “I disagree with it. There are over 12,000 ex-servicemen on the streets and why should they get priority?
On the side of the pro-migrant protesters, retired GP Dr Kambiz Boomla, 73, said: “This borough has always been the home of migrants from across the world, a multi-cultural, vibrant community.
“We don’t want this kind of hate brought into our borough.”
The latest protests come after a series of clashes in Epping, Essex, over migrants being housed in the Bell Hotel. Eight police officers were injured at one demonstration last Thursday (July 17) while five men have been charged with disorder at the protests.
Jonathan Glover, 47, of Springfields, Waltham Abbey, Stuart Williams, 36, of Duck Lane, Thornwood, Epping, Keith Silk, 33, of Torrington Drive, Loughton, and Dean Smith, 51, of Madells, Epping, have been charged with violent disorder in connection with the protests in Essex and are due to appear at the same court on August 18, Essex Police said on Tuesday.
A fifth man, Joe McKenna, 34, of Highcliffe Road, Wickford, is charged with failing to remove a face covering when told to do so and remains on bail until a hearing at Chelmsford Magistrates’ Court on September 24. Essex Police previously said the cost of policing the incidents in Epping over the last week had reached £100,000.
For all of the latest updates from the protest at Canary Wharf, follow our live blog here.