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A wave of anti-migrant protests is set to continue on Sunday, following scuffles between demonstrators and police yesterday.
Demonstrations under the Abolish Asylum System banner are scheduled in Solihull, Dudley, Epping, Stevenage, London, Manchester, and Norwich.
On Saturday, crowds of protesters were met by thousands of anti-racism counter-protesters at several of their anti-migration rallies, which were held in Bristol, Exeter, Tamworth, Cannock, Nuneaton, Liverpool, Wakefield, Newcastle, and Horley in Surrey, and at Canary Wharf in central London on Saturday.
In Liverpool, 11 protesters were arrested during a protest led by UKIP outside St George’s Hall which was met with a counter-protests.
The government afterwards promised that a new fast-track asylum appeals process will be introduced to speed up the process of removing people with no right to be in the UK, as first reported in The Sunday Times, one day after Nigel Farage unveiled Reform UK’s ‘mass deportation’ plan for small boat arrivals.
Meanwhile, a security minister confirmed the government will challenge the High Court’s decision to prevent asylum seekers from being housed in The Bell Hotel.
Dan Jarvis said that the Home Office will appeal against the High Court’s refusal to allow it to intervene in the case of The Bell Hotel.
Farage to tell Lucy Connolly’s story in visit to US Congress – report
Nigel Farage is set to champion Lucy Connolly’s story while giving evidence at a free speech hearing at US Congress next month, The Telegraph is reporting.
The Reform UK leader is set to visit Washington in September to testify to Congress over threats to freedom of expression in Britain.
Ms Connolly was released from prison last week after she was given a 31-month prison sentence after pleading guilty to inciting racial hatred, after calling for people to “set fire” to hotels housing asylum seekers in a post on social media.
Her story will be “a very central point of what I’m discussing”, Mr Farage said according to The Telegraph.
It comes after the Trump administration said it is “greatly concerned” about free speech in Britain.
Alex Croft24 August 2025 11:29
Recap: The High Court case between the Home Office and Epping Council
Setting the backdrop for the weekend of unrest is a crucial High Court case being fought between the government and an English council.
On Tuesday, Epping Forest District Council won an interim High Court injunction to stop asylum seekers being housed at The Bell Hotel, arguing it had become a “feeding ground for unrest” in recent weeks after a series of violent protests resulted in multiple arrests and saw police officers injured.
Home secretary Yvette Cooper made a last-minute attempt on Tuesday to halt their removal, arguing that other councils would make similar applications for migrant accommodation in their areas.
However, Mr Justice Eyre dismissed her application and has given the council until 12 September to move asylum seekers out of the hotel. Somani Hotels Limited, which runs the hotel, can apply to the Court of Appeal to try to reverse the decision.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp described the ruling as “a moment of relief for the people of Epping”, while Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said it was “a victory for the mums and dads” in the local area, “who just want their children to be safe”.
Alex Croft24 August 2025 11:00
ICYMI – Three arrests made at Horley protest
Three arrests were made at the protest outside the Four Points hotel in Horley on Saturday, Surrey Police said.
Two of the arrests were made for reach of the peace and one for breaching the conditions of a community protection notice.
Chief Superintendent Juliet Parker said: “Our officers were outside the hotel this morning to support the public’s right to lawful protest. Unfortunately, while the majority of those present were protesting lawfully, there were some individuals whose behaviour became disruptive, and they were arrested.
“Officers were also present to minimise disruption to the local community. We appreciate that there was some disruption on the roads around the hotel while the protest was taking place and we would like to thank all those affected for their patience.”
Alex Croft24 August 2025 10:31
Comment | I’m an ex-Met chief – but I’m glad I’m not policing this ‘bank holiday weekend of discontent’
Ah, the August bank holiday weekend. A promising weather forecast. Off work until next Tuesday. The perfect opportunity to sit back, put your feet up, enjoy a barbecue and take a well-earned rest. Unless you’re a police officer – and especially this particular weekend.
First up are the anticipated protests – and counterprotests – outside hotels housing asylum seekers from Bournemouth to Perth, Cardiff to Leeds. Some two dozen or so anti-immigration protests have been organised for the coming days. And, once again, it is police officers who will find themselves standing in the places in between, accused by one faction of protecting lawless foreigners and by the other of defending hate-filled racists. Refusing to take either side, and damned by both.
Former Met Police chief superintendent John Sutherland writes:
I’m glad I’m not policing this ‘bank holiday weekend of discontent’
Two dozen anti-migrant protests across the country, a million-strong Notting Hill Carnival using controversial facial recognition cameras for the first time – and officers are banned from dancing… my former colleagues would much rather spend the long weekend policing local neighbourhoods, says John Sutherland
Alex Croft24 August 2025 10:02
Watch: Anti-immigration protesters hurl abuse as rival groups clash outside Horley hotel Anti-immigration protesters hurl abuse as rival groups clash outside Horley hotel
Alex Croft24 August 2025 09:30
Full report: Protesters clash outside asylum hotels as tensions over migration flare
Police and protesters clashed on Saturday as demonstrations against asylum hotels unfolded across the country.
Protesters and counterprotesters gathered for demonstrations in towns and cities around England, including Bristol, Exeter, Tamworth, Cannock, Nuneaton, Liverpool, Wakefield, Newcastle, and Horley in Surrey, and at Canary Wharf in central London.
There were also protests at Aberdeen and Perth in Scotland, and Mold in Flintshire, Wales.
Political correspondent Archie Mitchell brings the full report of yesterday’s protests:
Alex Croft24 August 2025 08:59
Racism activists declared ‘victory’ over anti-migrant protests in Perth
Anti-racism activists in Perth, Scotland, yesterday declared “victory” over a group of anti-migrant protesters at a hotel housing asylum seekers.
“Far right, demoralised and now leaving in Perth in face of the anti-racist counter protesters protecting the hotel,” Stand Up To Racism’s Scottish branch said on X.
They accused anti-migrant protesters of having “targeted, harassed and screamed at a mum carrying a baby”.
Alex Croft24 August 2025 08:30
Where and when are anti-migrant protests scheduled for Sunday?
Anti-migrant protests are set to continue on Sunday, including in London, where hundreds of thousands of Notting Hill Carnival revellers will take to the streets to celebrate its 58th edition.
Protesting under the Abolish Asylum System banner, protests are set to take place in Solihull, Dudley, Epping, Stevenage, London, Manchester, and Norwich.
Here is the full list of protests expected today:
- Castle Bromwich (Solihull) – Holiday Inn – 12pm
- Dudley – Market Place – 12pm
- London – Britannia Canary Wharf – 1pm
- Norwich – The Norkie – 1pm
- Stevenage – Ibis Stevenage Centre – 4pm
- Manchester – South Hotal – 4pm
- Epping – Bell Hotel – 6pm
Dozens of protesters and counter-protesters are at Castle Park, Bristol (Ben Birchall/PA Wire)
Alex Croft24 August 2025 08:08
Police braced for weekend of unrest as fresh wave of hotel protests clashes with Notting Hill Carnival
Police are braced for a weekend of potential unrest as they face a fresh wave of protests amid mounting tensions over the use of hotels to house asylum seekers.
Anti-migrant groups faced off with counterprotesters in Leeds, Orpington, Chichester and Portsmouth on Friday as a weekend of nationwide protests kicked off.
The demonstrations, said to be planned at 26 hotels across the country, come as a million revellers are expected to take to the streets of west London to celebrate Notting Hill Carnival.
Read more here by our crime correspondent Amy-Clare Martin:
Rebecca Whittaker24 August 2025 08:00
Migrant community deserves dignity and protection, say anti-racism protesters
Emma Taylor-Beale, who is protesting for Stand Up to Racism in Horley has demanded dignity and protection for migrants in the UK.
“I’ve got a heart for anyone who’s got a need and our migrant community deserve protection, they deserve dignity, they’ve been through enough,” she said.
She said she was not surprised at the number of anti-immigration protesters that had turned out to the demonstration, given what she had seen on social media.
Ms Taylor-Beale said: “This time last year when we had the riots in the summer, all of us showing support were the massive majority in Brighton and in Crawley, and the far-right were there, but they weren’t like the members of the public.
“This isn’t just the far-right, you can’t label everyone on that side who’s come out as far-right, I think people are buying into lies, they’re angry, they’re hurt and people have got a reason to be angry right now.”
She argued that economic inequality and the housing crisis was at the root of the divide.
People take part in a Stand Up To Racism rally outside the Sheraton Four Points Hotel in Horley (Gareth Fuller/PA Wire)
Alex Croft24 August 2025 07:50