Overview

• Hundreds marched from Parliament Square to Downing Street on Wednesday, with police keeping the women-led group and a rival demonstration apart.
• Stand Up to Racism held a counter-protest accusing the movement of spreading racist hate, while Pink Ladies supporters insisted their focus is community safety.
• Speakers included London Conservative leader Susan Hall and Lucy Connolly, who urged tighter border controls and faster processing of asylum claims.
• The movement grew from protests in Epping after a Bell Hotel resident was convicted of sexually assaulting a 14-year-old, as legal and policing fallout continues with a Court of Appeal ruling keeping residents in place and a further hearing set for October 15.
• Government figures said they are exploring alternatives to hotels and seeking to accelerate closures, as campaigners pressed Keir Starmer for talks on housing in HMOs and cited data on schools located near asylum accommodation.