A bus-load of male migrants was moved into the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf during the early hours of Saturday morning, marking the first arrivals at the controversial four-star accommodation facility. Footage circulating online shows dozens of men carrying brown envelopes being escorted into the 500-room hotel by masked security guards wearing body cameras.
The covert operation, which took place at approximately 2am, saw a large white coach pull into the hotel’s security barrier before sixty-two men disembarked and were swiftly ushered into the building. The arrivals, all appearing to be men dressed in dark colours, were processed under tight security as the government implements its plan to house asylum seekers at the prime London location.
Tower Hamlets Council confirmed the government’s decision to repurpose the hotel, with costs reportedly set at £80 per room per night (equivalent to $100). The move comes despite ongoing protests and fierce opposition from local residents and politicians who have branded the area a “dumping ground” for migrants.
Reform UK MP Condemns Hotel Takeover
Reform UK MP Lee Anderson expressed his fury in a video posted on social media platform X, stating he was “absolutely furious” about the situation. In his post, Anderson declared: “Canary Wharf. The International Hotel is now in lockdown as they prepare for an influx of illegal migrants. 500 rooms here. What are we playing at?”
The Ashfield MP’s intervention came as metal barriers and increased security measures were implemented around the hotel. Anderson highlighted the cost implications, noting that rooms at the facility typically cost “a couple of hundred quid a night” and that “most normal people in this country would not even be able to afford to come and stay here for a weekend.”
His comments sparked criticism from refugee advocacy groups, with Care4Calais head of advocacy Charlotte Khan stating: “MPs should be more responsible than to sow division and hatred in our communities.”
Council Demands Safeguarding Measures
A spokesperson for Tower Hamlets Council acknowledged the development, stating: “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.”
The council added: “We are working with the Home Office and partners to make sure that all necessary safety and safeguarding arrangements are in place.
However, the local authority has criticised the consultation process, revealing that crucial communications from the Home Office and its contractor Clearsprings were mistakenly sent to a contractor no longer associated with the council.
Previous Protests and Security Concerns
Last month’s protests outside the hotel saw hundreds gather following false rumours on social media that migrants were being transferred from The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex. The Metropolitan Police deployed significant resources to manage the demonstrations, with a spokesperson confirming: “Officers are currently in attendance at a protest outside a hotel in Canary Wharf. We have a policing plan in place and will continue to monitor events.”
The protests in Canary Wharf followed violent scenes in Epping, where ten people were arrested after demonstrations outside The Bell Hotel. The unrest was sparked after an Ethiopian asylum seeker staying at the facility was charged with sexually assaulting schoolgirls.
Essex Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington condemned the violence, stating: “What has been unacceptable has been the people who have come to Epping and committed violence, who have attacked people who work at the hotel, who have attacked officers.”
Booking Cancellations Anger Guests
The hotel’s transformation into asylum accommodation has left previously booked guests frustrated after their reservations were cancelled at short notice. One customer wrote on TripAdvisor: “On 9th June, I booked and fully paid for two rooms in this hotel for 2 nights in August. Today I received an email cancelling my booking because ‘the hotel has taken a large group booking’.”
Another guest reported their reservation was cancelled less than 24 hours before their stay, citing a “private hire” event. The sudden cancellations have prompted accusations that hotel staff were dismissed on the same day asylum seekers began arriving.
Political Divisions Deepen
The use of the Britannia Hotel has exposed deep political divisions over immigration policy. Conservative Assembly member Susan Hall lamented that migrants were being placed in “one of the capital’s most prestigious financial zones,” arguing the move underscores London’s deterioration under Labour leadership.
Reform UK Assembly member Alex Wilson condemned the decision, claiming it would worsen existing problems in Canary Wharf. Wilson stated: “Reform UK would deport those who have no legal right to remain, stop the boats, and shut down these costly hotel schemes.
Meanwhile, Aspana Begum, Labour MP for Poplar and Limehouse, took a different stance, declaring: “In Poplar and Limehouse, we are clear: refugees are welcome here. It’s the far-right and their hateful ideology that are not welcome here.”
Financial District Transformation
The Britannia International Hotel, which advertises “superb views over the London skyline” and sits near major financial institutions including JP Morgan and One Canada Square, represents a significant shift in the use of Canary Wharf’s premium real estate. The facility’s 500 rooms make it one of the largest asylum accommodation sites in the capital.
Critics have pointed to the symbolism of housing asylum seekers in what was once London’s premier financial district. The area, developed under Margaret Thatcher’s government as a symbol of Britain’s economic resurgence, now faces questions about its changing identity amid broader concerns about the capital’s economic trajectory.
Nationwide Pattern
The Canary Wharf arrivals form part of a wider pattern of hotels being requisitioned for asylum accommodation across the UK. Home Office sources report that average costs per night for hotel rooms have decreased from £162.16 in March 2023 to £118.87 in March 2025, though critics argue any expenditure on four-star accommodation remains excessive.
Nathan Phillips, head of campaigns at Asylum Matters, warned against the demonstrations, which he said had “morphed into yet more racist violence.” He criticised politicians who use their platforms to spread what he termed “misinformation and hate that dehumanises refugees.”
As the first migrants settle into their new accommodation and protests continue to simmer, questions remain about the long-term sustainability of using premium hotels for asylum housing and the impact on community relations in one of London’s most iconic business districts.
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