Robert Jenrick under fire over support for Epping asylym hotel protests

The shadow justice secretary wrote on X: "Great to be with peaceful, patriotic protesters in Epping today.

"People are right to be fed up of illegal migration. And the crime and billions being wasted because of it.

Read More: Migrant charged with sexually assaulting man living at hotel at centre of protests in Epping

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"Starmer should get out of Westminster, listen to people's concerns, and act to keep us safe."

The protests were sparked by reports of criminality by the migrants housed inside The Bell Hotel.

They have led the local council to seek to have the hotel shut down - and since the protests a migrant from Syria living in the hotel has been charged after allegedly sexually assaulting a man.

Mohammed Sharwarq, 32, was charged with two counts of common assault, four counts of assault by beating and one count of sexual assault on August 12.

In response to Mr Jenrick's post, the Labour Press Office account posted two screenshots along with the caption: "Did you tell the people that you met today whether you have a long standing interest in that particular hotel, Robert?"

The first screenshot showed a reported quote given by Jenrick to Sky News in his previous role as Immigration Minister, saying that he was working to secure more hotels to house asylum seekers.

The second, dated a week later, is a post in an Epping-based Facebook group, reporting that The Bell Hotel was being earmarked as a potential asylum hotel.

Mr Jenrick has become increasingly vocal on immigration since last year's election and his subsequent unsuccessful leadership campaign.

His larger presence has led to rumours of a leadership challenge against Tory leader Kemi Badenoch as she flounders in trying to reverse her party's fortunes in the polls.