Moment crowd chants 'Keir Starmer's a w*****' during migrant protest chaos

A crowd was heard shouting "Keir Starmer is a w*****" as they gathered outside a reported asylum seeker hotel in London. A Daily Express reporter at the scene witnessed clashes between the large group and a small group of counter-protesters shouting "refugees welcome!"

The Daily Express understands that no asylum seekers are being housed at the hotel, nor are there any plans to do so. Videos on social media show tourists arriving at the hotel entrance with bookings only to be turned away by security. According to booking websites like Booking.com, the property is not "taking reservations on our site right now". Soon after, a group of protesters gathered outside, with a significant police presence.

Our Daily Express reporter at the scene, Conor Wilson, said he spoke to a man called Steve, who has a 17-year-old daughter and is worried about her safety because she has to walk past the hotel every day to go to work. Conor also spoke to Lorraine Kavanagh, 70, who has been working for a local charity on the Isle of Dogs for 42 years, said they serve over 1,000 people, most in employment, a week in their food bank, who "still cannot afford to come in here [the Britannia International Hotel] for one night for an anniversary or for a birthday".

She continued: "The school holidays have now started [...] so the kids are now out on the streets, where they should be; they should be out there playing. Parents should not be terrified that their children are out and could be [...] approached, spoken to by people who have no passports, no identity."

A police helicopter reportedly was flying over the area and at least 12 tactical support vans were on scene.Videos on social media have also shown eggs flying from upper-floor windows during the protest in Canary Wharf. Counter-protesters have also been moved for safety.

Green Party Councillor Nathalie Bienfait was present at the scene as a counter-protester to stand in solidarity with the migrants. She said the borough has a history of "helping people in need". Our reporter at the scene said she was approached by protesters who were quickly moved away by police.

Last week, six people were arrested after dozens of protesters gathered outside Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex believed to house asylum seekers. More than 100 demonstrators assembled outside the hotel on Sunday evening (July 20), with some chanting "save our kids".

On Monday night, the Park Hotel, in the sleepy market town of Diss, Norfolk, also became the centre of another anti-migrant protest. Around 150 people gathered outside the 19-room hotel for a "peaceful" protest after the Home Office announced plans to change it from housing asylum-seeker families to single men.

Britannia International Hotel Canary Wharf offers somewhere between 580 and 601 rooms and has an indoor heated swimming pool, a sauna, jacuzzi and a fully equipped gym. Standard room rates generally start from about £88 to £150 per night. Executive or suite upgrades can go up to £250 or more per night.