Met Police Deny Protest Ban Outside Britannia Hotel
Harassment Targeted, Not Lawful Protests
The Metropolitan Police have slammed rumours that protests outside the Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf are banned. They stressed that only a specific group causing harassment and disruption was ordered to leave under legal powers—not all protesters.
“We have not banned protests outside the Britannia International Hotel. Officers managed a protest for hours today, but a group was harassing hotel occupants and staff, blocking deliveries, and trying to break through fencing,” a Met spokesperson said.
“Their behaviour crossed the line from lawful protest to harassment. Using powers under the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001, we ordered that group to leave and not return for 28 days. Other groups are free to protest lawfully nearby.”
What Sparked Police Action?
The protests target the Home Office’s use of hotels for housing asylum seekers. Tensions boiled over when some demonstrators allegedly blocked deliveries, harassed hotel staff, and tried to force their way into the hotel grounds.
Police invoked Dispersal Orders under Section 60 of the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001 to tackle the worst offenders, banning them from returning for 28 days.
Lawful Protest Fully Allowed
The Met made it clear: peaceful protests are welcome, as long as they don’t disrupt others or break the law.
This comes after false claims spread online claiming all protests at the Britannia Hotel were banned. The police remain on site to keep the peace and watch for troublemakers.
