It’s a mark of the absurd legalism of Britain’s political system that after a month of fierce protests and years of government intransigence over asylum hotels, the future of the asylum system now rests on the whims of several judges in a dispute about planning permission. The Home Office and the owners of the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex are appealing against the temporary injunction granted to Epping Forest district council last week, which ordered its closure as asylum accommodation after weeks of local protests.

All this really amounts to is a political excuse for the present dysfunctional asylum system

The judgement, which is due today at 2 p.m., will have ramifications for the entire asylum system: other councils, also experiencing protests like in Epping, may follow suit, potential

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