MP Paul Bristow said today he had hatched a plan with Peterborough City Council to remove asylum seekers from the 41-bedroom Great Northern Hotel, Peterborough. “This is the wrong hotel, in the wrong place at the wrong time,” he said.
The hotel opened its doors to up to 80 asylum seekers last November after the hotel owners agreed a contract with the Home Office.
Asylum seekers at the Great Northern Hotel, Peterborough. Their presence has been opposed by MP Paul Bristow.
“That’s a year too long,” said the MP. “It’s been almost a year since the iconic hotel was stood up accommodate young men who have crossed the Channel on small boats. This is not good for station regeneration plans – and certainly not good for the migrants themselves
“We need a plan and action to resolve this problem. I will keep campaigning until this hotel is stood down – and given a new future."
🌟 GREAT NORTHERN HOTEL – UPDATE 🌟
Almost a year since this iconic hotel was stood up for young men who have come on small boats. 🤔
I reiterate my plea to Government to stand down this hotel 👍
This is the wrong hotel, in the wrong place at the wrong time. pic.twitter.com/D8E7rxybAC
— Paul Bristow MP (@paulbristow79) October 9, 2023
Mr Bristow said: “Today I reiterate my plea to Government to stand down this hotel – and I have met with council leadership to put together our own plan.
“Labour oppose action on the Great Northern – and want to strike a deal with Europe to take more. This can’t be the right way.
“Watch out for my plea to Government and my plan with the city council.”
Mr Bristow has promised to reveal his plan shortly and said the “city council and I are at one with this”.
Letter from Peterborough MP Paul Bristow to Robert Jenrick, Minister for Immigration
Earlier this year Mr Bristow quizzed Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick in the House of Commons about a timeline for returning the hotel back to everyday use.
