High Court Judge Justice Holgate has found in favour of Great Yarmouth Borough Council's legal action to prevent the use of prime tourism area hotels to house asylum seekers.

This is a clear victory for common-sense. It is simply wrong to damage tourism areas by requisitioning hotels to house asylum seekers whilst their claims are processed. This policy doesn’t solve the issue, just creates another one.

It took brave leadership from Councillor Carl Smith and the Borough Council to pursue legal action to block the Home Office plans. I was pleased to back their efforts and to highlight the issue in Parliament and in direct contact with Government ministers.

Although the Prime Minister has confirmed that they will cease using hotels for this purpose, this ruling means that they can’t be used in the prime tourism area of Great Yarmouth whilst alternative facilities in more appropriate locations are finalised.