Rival groups face off outside migrant hotel - as asylum seekers 'blow kisses' at protesters

Several demonstrators have been detained after rival groups faced off over a hotel accommodating asylum seekers in north London, with police breaking up brief clashes.

The Metropolitan Police has since imposed conditions on the protest and counter-protest outside the Thistle City Barbican Hotel in Islington.

The protest was organised by local residents under the banner "Thistle Barbican needs to go - locals say no".

The group of several hundred people waved union flags and banners, and one man chanted: "Get these scum off our streets."

A larger group staged a counter demonstration to voice support for asylum seekers, bearing a banner that read: "Refugees are welcome."

People inside the hotel, believed to be migrants, watched on, with some waving and blowing kisses from the windows.

A man wearing an England football shirt was detained by police after getting into an altercation with officers.

There have been nine arrests so far, six of which were for breaching conditions police put on the protests under the Public Order Act. One was for also breaching those conditions, as well as twice assaulting an emergency worker.

Police also arrested a 22-year-old woman for expressing support for Palestine Action.

And a 33-year-old man, who was a part of the anti-immigration demonstration, was arrested for a racially aggravated public order offence.

Rival groups separated by police

Another protest was scheduled in Newcastle on Saturday, outside The New Bridge Hotel, as anti-migrant sentiment ripples through some communities around the country, also flaring up recently in Epping.

The counter-protest in London was organised by local branches of Stand Up To Racism, and supported by former Labour leader and Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn.

Other community groups including Finsbury Park Mosque and Islington Labour Party were also involved.

Groups online that backed the original protest include "Patriots of Britain" and "Together for the Children".

At one point, a large group of masked protesters dressed in black, calling themselves anti-fascists, appeared from a side street and marched towards the rival group outside the hotel.

The two groups briefly clashed before police rushed in to separate them.

Why are asylum hotels used?

The government is legally required to provide accommodation and subsistence to destitute asylum seekers while their claims are being decided, most of whom are prohibited from working.

A jump in the use of hotels since 2020 has been attributed to the impacts of the COVID pandemic, a backlog in unresolved asylum cases, and an increase in the number of migrants crossing the Channel in small boats.

However, the number of asylum seekers living in hotels has fallen recently, from 38,079 at the end of 2024 to 32,345 at the end of March 2025, according to the Refugee Council.

How police tried to keep groups apart

The police imposed conditions on both groups in London to prevent "serious disorder" and minimise disruption to the community.

Those in the anti-asylum hotel protest were told to remain within King Charles Square, and to gather not before 1pm and wrap up by 4pm.

Those in the counter-protest were to required to stay in an area in Lever Street, and assemble only between 12pm and 4pm, but were still in eye and ear shot of the other group.

Chief Superintendent Clair Haynes, in charge of the policing operation, said: "We have been in discussions with the organisers of both protests in recent days, building on the ongoing engagement between local officers, community groups and partners.

"We understand that there are strongly held views on all sides.

"Our officers will police without fear or favour, ensuring those exercising their right to protest can do so safely, but intervening at the first sign of actions that cross the line into criminality."

Meanwhile, the protest in Newcastle was promoted by online posts saying it was "for our children, for our future".

The "stop the far right and fascists in Newcastle" counter-protest was organised by Stand Up To Racism at the nearby Laing Art Gallery.

(c) Sky News 2025: Rival groups face off outside migrant hotel - as asylum seekers 'blow kisses' at protesters