UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Perth council leader Grant Laing called claims of new asylum hotels “completely false,” urging residents to avoid misinformation ahead of local protests.
As reported by The Independent, the Perth council leader calls claims of new asylum hotels “completely false” ahead of a protest.
What did Grant Laing say about alleged new asylum hotels in Perth?
SNP leader Grant Laing of Perth and Kinross council discussed the protest on BBC Scotland’s Sunday Show. The council leader slammed anti-migration demonstrations, urging respect and humanity for all.
Mr Laing praised the Home Secretary’s Yvette Cooper promise to fast-track asylum processing.
He stated,
“A lot of this in Perth started off two or three weeks ago when there was a claim there was another hotel or two hotels going to be used for housing asylum seekers – completely false.”
Mr Laing added,
“The council speaks to the UK Government weekly about what’s happening. There was never any intention or even any application from Mears on behalf of the UK Government, for imminently other people coming to and stay in hotels in Perth. It’s this sort of misinformation that happens.”
The council leader encouraged people to report worries about the scheme.
What did the Perth Council say about refugee protests?
Perth and Kinross leaders reaffirm commitment as “council of sanctuary” before protest.
They issued a statement, stating,
“We defend the right to peaceful protest, but protests targeted at those who in many cases have lost their homes and family members to war does not reflect the compassion, solidarity and fairness our communities are known for.”
It added,
“That is why we are asking all residents to look beyond the misleading headlines and misinformation and treat those seeking refuge in our area the same way they would hope to be treated.”
How did protests unfold at the Perth asylum hotel over the weekend?
Activists from Abolish Asylum System held a protest at Perth’s Radisson hotel on Saturday morning.
The protest met a counter-demonstration by Perth Against Racism, with clashes and chanting before the crowd dispersed.
Similar gatherings took place nationwide, with Perth joining other protests at asylum hotels.
How is Sir Keir Starmer’s asylum hotel policy facing legal hurdles?
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer faces multiple legal challenges after a council won a temporary injunction.
Epping Forest Council won an interim High Court order to block asylum housing at The Bell Hotel, citing recent violent protests and police injuries.
The Home Office warned the Epping court order could affect legal duties, with the hotel owner’s lawyers saying it might set a precedent.
What did Dan Jarvis say about the Epping hotel injunction?
Security Minister Dan Jarvis said the government is “reviewing the decision closely,” signalling a potential appeal to retain the hotel.
He added,
“We will look closely at the circumstances in Epping. We’re looking at contingency options to accommodate those people who will now have to move out of that hotel.”
What did Tories say about migrant housing at the hotel?
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch called for migrants at the hotel to be moved immediately.
Shadow home secretary Chris Philp stated,
“Residents should never have had to fight their own government just to feel safe in their own town.”
He added,
“Local residents have every right to feel safe in their own streets and every right to object when their community is treated as a dumping ground.”
How will Yvette Cooper speed up asylum claim appeals?
Yvette Cooper aims to block courts from hearing asylum appeals to speed up processing. A new panel of professional adjudicators will manage denied asylum cases quickly.
The home secretary added,
“We are determined to substantially reduce the number of people in the asylum system as part of our plan to end asylum hotels … But we cannot carry on with these completely unacceptable delays in appeals as a result of the system we have inherited which means that failed asylum seekers stay in the system for years on end at huge cost to the taxpayer.”
Asylum seekers in the UK in 2025
The UK received a record 111,084 asylum applications by June 2025, up 14% from last year. While the backlog fell 18% to 90,812, hotel stays rose 8% to 32,059.
Most claims came from Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Eritrea, and Bangladesh, with Afghans arriving irregularly and others via visas.