UK Far-right mobilisation and hotel protests: Is another summer of unrest looming?

Key Takeaways:·       

• Far-right mobilisation may intensify in the coming weeks, particularly around asylum hotels and key symbolic dates, with a heightened risk of escalation and social unrest at some confirmed anti-immigration protests that could attract participants with disruptive or extremist affiliations.

• The spread of misinformation appears to be an increasingly influential driver of protest activity, with unverified claims alone capable of triggering rapid mobilisation and significant potential for disorder, particularly near asylum hotels.

• The 1-year anniversary of the Southport stabbings on 29 July may serve as a symbolic focal point for renewed protest activity and narrative amplification across a range of actors before and after the date.

• The upcoming anti-immigration-related protest events across the UK could see varied outcomes; while many have been advertised as peaceful, the potential for escalation, disruption, or co-opting by fringe elements remains a credible concern.

• In light of these heightened risks, individuals and organisations should approach the upcoming weeks with caution and awareness, staying prepared for potential disruptions.

Far-right activity at the Bell Hotel:

• Over recent weeks, the Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex, which is used to house asylum seekers, has become a focal point for escalating anti-immigration protests featuring significant far-right participation.

• These protests began following the charging of an asylum seeker residing at the hotel with sexual assault against a minor, sparking local outrage. Initially peaceful, demonstrations have repeatedly descended into violence with clashes injuring police officers and leading to multiple arrests.

• Key far-right groups, particularly the neo-Nazi Homeland Party, a splinter from Patriotic Alternative, described as one of Britain’s largest fascist groups, have been identified by media outlets as organisers and promoters of the protests through social media platforms.

• The Facebook group "Epping Says No," with around 1,600 members before being taken private, was reportedly administered by Homeland members who issued national calls to action to encourage protests across the country.

• Other far-right groups, including UKIP, British Democrats, and Blood and Honour, have also reportedly been involved.

• Prominent far-right figures like Tommy Robinson have actively supported and amplified the protests, with Robinson reportedly planning to bring thousands of supporters to another major rally at Bell Hotel on 27 July 2025.

• Counter-protest groups such as Stand Up To Racism and local anti-racist campaigners are mobilising in response, aiming to peacefully oppose far-right marches and defend refugees.

The Canary Wharf protest – triggered by misinformation

• In parallel with the escalating tensions at the Bell Hotel in Epping, a wave of protests erupted in London’s financial district at the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf on the 22 and 23 July 2025.

• This site, earmarked by the Home Office to provide over 400 beds for asylum seekers, became the focus of intense demonstrations following the rapid spread of false claims online.

• Rumours circulated widely on social media platforms, including amplified posts by far-right figures such as Tommy Robinson, falsely alleging that migrants were being moved from the Bell Hotel to the Britannia Hotel.

• These claims sparked an immediate physical response: protestors, driven by misinformation, surrounded the hotel despite it being empty at the time, forcing a large police presence to manage the crowds and prevent disorder.

• The Home Office quickly refuted the rumours, clarifying that no transfers from Epping were taking place and that the hotel would only be activated to house migrants when necessary.

• Yet, the damage had been done; protesters seized on exaggerated and misleading information, including unfounded assertions that migrants were housed at exorbitant financial rates, to fuel anger and mobilise public unrest in a high-profile London location.

• This incident starkly illustrates the dangerous cycle witnessed in last year’s Southport unrest: misinformation rapidly morphs into real-world disruption, which far-right groups then exploit to mobilise unrest, deepen societal divisions and prompt protests that further inflame tensions around migration and asylum policies.

• Political figures such as Reform MP Lee Anderson’s participation in the Canary Wharf protests, despite official clarifications, risk deepening social divisions and legitimising misinformation-fuelled unrest.

• Campaigners in Canary Wharf described the area as symbolic of broader concerns about London’s trajectory, with critics blaming local authorities and the national government for mishandling the migrant accommodation crisis.

• Counter-demonstrations by groups like Stand Up To Racism also gathered at the site, highlighting the polarisation and the struggle for narrative control in the face of rapid misinformation.

• These confrontations underscored the urgent need for accurate information dissemination and responsible political rhetoric to prevent the escalation of unrest sparked by unverified claims.

Wider unrest and upcoming protest events across the UK:

• The ongoing tensions at the Epping hotel and now the Britannia Hotel deeply reflect the unrest triggered by last year’s Southport stabbings, which ignited nationwide riots and a surge in far-right demonstrations.

• On 29 July 2024, seventeen-year-old Axel Rudakubana fatally stabbed three children and injured ten others during a Taylor Swift–themed dance workshop at the Hart Space studio in Southport, Merseyside.

• The shocking nature of the attack, combined with the identity of the perpetrator, was quickly exploited by far-right groups to spread misinformation, inflame public outrage, and mobilise large-scale protests across the UK.

• The intersection of local grievances, immigration issues, and far-right exploitation of these has created a "powder keg" atmosphere, as described by council leaders and community figures.

• Police face difficult operational challenges in maintaining order while allowing for legitimate protest, employing repeated dispersal orders and a significant police presence.

• Authorities warn that anarchistic "thuggery" by fringe elements within otherwise peaceful protests risks escalating violence and disorder.

• Beyond Epping, a series of other protest events are planned across the UK around the same period, including:

  
  

o   Glasgow on 26 July 2025: A UKIP-organised anti-immigration rally, with expected attendance in the low hundreds, along with a counter-protest by Stand Up To Racism.

o   Norwich on 26 July 2025: An anti-immigration protest outside a hotel accused of housing migrants.

o   Waterlooville on 30 July 2025: An anti-immigration protest prompted by claims about migrant housing plans.

o   Manchester on 02 August 2025: Britain First Party, a far-right, British fascist/neo-fascist political party and a hate group formed in 2011, has organised a “march for remigration”.

o   Wolverhampton on 09 August 2025: An anti-immigration protest by British Patriots Unite outside a hotel accused of housing asylum seekers.

o   Bournemouth on 09 August 2025: Anti-immigration protests planned at a local hotel.

o   Wigan on 09 August 2025: A "Peaceful March in Wigan" protesting against immigration to the UK.

• While many upcoming protests are planned as peaceful events reflecting local concerns, recent experience, such as at Epping, shows there is a significant risk these gatherings could be disrupted or hijacked by far-right activists seeking to incite violence and spread extremist messages.

• This means that even protests starting peacefully may escalate unexpectedly, leading to disruptions such as clashes, property damage, or public disorder.

• Businesses and residents near protest sites could face disturbances, travel disruptions, and heightened tensions in their communities.

• It is important for the public to be aware that these events carry an inherent risk of escalation and to prepare accordingly.

• Staying informed, planning for potential disruptions, and exercising caution around protest areas can help minimise impact while authorities work to maintain safety and order.

Additional protest announcement – The Great British National Protest:

• The group, led by Richard Donaldson, an ex-British Army soldier and founder of the Great British National Strike (now renamed Great British National Protest), has announced plans to intensify nationwide protests targeting migrant hotels across the UK.

• They describe the situation as a crisis, demanding immediate action rather than sporadic demonstrations, warning that failure to be heard may lead to calls for a nationwide, citizen-led “lockdown” as a last resort.

• The group recently announced a protest at the Cresta Court Hotel in Altrincham, stating: “close down the Cresta Court Hotel – for our children, for our future" on 27 July 2025 from 1700hrs (local), opposite Cresta Court Hotel, Altrincham, WA14 4DP.

• Their aims focus on halting what they call the ‘invasion’ and removing the Labour Party from government, reflecting broader far-right narratives.

Looking ahead: the Southport anniversary as a focal point:

• As the 1-year anniversary of the Southport stabbing approaches on 29 July 2025, far-right mobilisation and solidarity events are expected to intensify not only in the lead-up to the date but also in the days and weeks following it.

• This period will likely see a sustained increase in protest activity, with multiple events planned before and after the anniversary, reflecting the lasting impact and symbolic significance of the tragedy.

• There is a heightened risk that far-right groups will use this anniversary to reaffirm their narratives of grievance and stoke tensions around immigration and community safety issues. This may lead to an increase in:

  
  

  o   Far-right demonstrations and marches: Larger gatherings led by notable figures such as Tommy Robinson, potentially drawing supporters from across the UK and mobilising wider networks.

  o   Solidarity and counter-protests: Community groups and anti-racism organisations are expected to ramp up their peaceful demonstrations, seeking to oppose far-right rhetoric and promote social cohesion.

  o   Escalations into disorder: Particularly at hotels housing asylum seekers and other symbolic locations, where heightened emotions and polarisation may provide opportunities for extremists to infiltrate peaceful protests and provoke clashes.

  
  

• The upcoming anniversary acts as a powerful focal point, not only renewing public grief but also reigniting the socio-political tensions that fuel far-right mobilisation.

• Last year’s Southport stabbings triggered one of the most volatile waves of unrest in recent UK history, fuelled by misinformation and amplified by far-right agitators — a pattern now repeating itself in places like Canary Wharf.

• This legacy has entrenched a climate where localised events quickly gain national attention and become rallying cries for extremist groups.

• Far-right activism has grown more networked and digitally coordinated, leveraging anniversary symbolism to sustain momentum and widen its reach.

• The risk of escalation is further amplified by the social context: many communities are grappling with economic pressures, fears over rapid demographic shifts, and declining trust in institutions.

• These factors provide fertile ground for extremist exploitation, sometimes disguising hate campaigns as local concerns about safety or service provision.

• For the public, this means a prolonged period of tension, heightened media focus, and potential disruptions lasting well beyond the anniversary itself.