The decision of Epping Council to take legal action against housing asylum seekers in a local hotel has paved the way for further challenges to the Home Office policy.
Shortly after the interim injunction was granted by the High Court – which means the Bell Hotel must be cleared of its occupants by 12 September – a number of councils indicated they were also exploring their options.
It is not only Tory and Reform-controlled councils that are considering launching legal action, but Labour-run ones too.
On Friday, the Home Office began steps to challenge the Bell Hotel decision, by seeking to intervene as an interested party in the case.
Here, Sky News analysis shows the 18 councils, including Epping Forest District Council, that are either taking legal action or considering it following the Bell Hotel decision.
Pursuing legal action
Epping (Conservative)
Broxbourne (Conservative)
West Northamptonshire (Reform)
Stevenage (Labour)
Tamworth (Labour)
South Norfolk (Labour)
Spelthorne (No overall control)
Councils considering legal action
East Lindsey (No overall control)
Wirral (Labour)
Blackpool (Labour)
Antrim and Newtownabbey (No overall control)
Derby (Labour)
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (No overall control)
Hillingdon (Conservative)
Rushmoor (Labour)
Falkirk (No overall control)
Peterborough (No overall control)
Reigate and Banstead (Conservative)
