Watch as GB News star Patrick Christys joins Epping locals outside the Bell Hotel just hours after a landmark court ruling that will see the eviction of asylum seekers.

A High Court judge granted Epping Forest District Council a temporary injunction to block asylum seekers being housed at the Essex accommodation.

The ruling means its owner, Somani Hotels Limited, must now remove migrants from the site within 14 days.

Patrick joined jubilant locals as they sipped alcoholic beverages and sang celebratory chants in the wake of the decision which will come as a devastating blow to the Labour Government.

Patrick Christys joined protesters outside the Bell Hotel, where there was a celebratory atmosphere

One local adorned in pink told Patrick: “I’m elated it has paid off. We’ve been protesting week after week and it’s worked. I’m so happy.

“Keep us safe. That’s all we ask for.”

Reform Councillor Jaymey McIvor then joined Patrick, saying on GB News: “This means so much to the people of Epping.

“When we were told not to protest, what did we do? Ignore them. When they called us far-right, Nazi scum we ignored them, because we’re not.

One Epping local who spoke to Patrick was dressed in pink, as she is part of a movement aimed at speaking out about the dangers women face

“Everyone was against us but nothing can beat the British people and their spirit.

“This constituency once had Winston Churchill as their Member of Parliament. This is a constituency that knows when something is of national importance and Epping has just done something very big today.

“The whole country now, wherever there’s a hotel, people need to peacefully protest. They need to frankly ignore their councillors telling them not to protest. This is about the safety of our women and children.”

The crowd then descended into a ’save our kids’ chant as Patrick sent the live broadcast back to Michelle Dewberry.

The ruling, delivered on Tuesday, mandates that the Essex hotel must be vacated by 2 September.

Mr Justice Eyre dismissed the government's efforts to postpone the council's application earlier that day. The judge had previously prohibited the hotel from accepting additional asylum seeker placements whilst deliberating on the temporary injunction.

His trial is scheduled for later this month.

During last week's proceedings, the council's legal team maintained that Somani Hotels had violated planning regulations by failing to operate the premises for its designated purpose. Philip Coppel KC, representing the council, told the court the situation was "getting out of hand" and "causing great anxiety" amongst residents.

He argued the establishment "is no more a hotel [to asylum seekers] than a borstal to a young offender".

Somani Hotels' barrister, Piers Riley-Smith, characterised the injunction as "draconian" and warned it would create "hardship" for current residents. He contended that "political views" did not constitute valid grounds for granting such an order.

Reform Councillor Jaymey McIvor spoke to Patrick Christys

The hotel's proprietor, Somani Hotels Limited, has announced its intention to challenge the ruling through an appeal process.

The council's legal action followed demonstrations outside the hotel in recent weeks, triggered by criminal charges against one of the asylum seekers residing there. Hadush Gerberslasie Kebatu, 38, faces allegations of attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl, charges he refutes.

The hotel's financial circumstances featured prominently in its defence, with Riley-Smith describing asylum seeker accommodation contracts as a "financial lifeline". He revealed the establishment had achieved merely 1% occupancy in August 2022 whilst operating as a conventional hotel.

The barrister noted that planning permission had not been sought for the current use, stating this decision followed "advice from the Home Office".

The hotel had previously accommodated migrants between May 2020 and March 2021, followed by another period from October 2022 to April 2024. Riley-Smith highlighted that the council had not pursued enforcement action during these earlier periods.

The current placement of asylum seekers recommenced in April 2025.

Following the ruling, Epping Forest District Council leader Chris Whitbread expressed his satisfaction with the outcome. He described himself as "delighted" and proclaimed it was "great news for our residents".

The judge declined Somani Hotels' immediate appeal request, stating he was "not persuaded there is such a compelling reason" to grant it.