Posts on a TikTok account appear to show one of the men’s journeys across Europe to the UK.
A video clip appears to show a group of men, thought to be asylum seekers, partying in a hotel (Image: TikTok)
A video has shown men believed to be migrants celebrating their arrival in the UK with a party in a hotel room. The TikTok clip shows about 10 people in what is thought to be a Holiday Inn, a number of whose hotels have been used by the government to house asylum seekers. Food and drink, including popcorn, biscuits, sliced bananas, bottled water, Pepsi and Irn-Bru, look to be laid out on a towel.
The video is overlaid with emojis of upturned palms, the Union Flag and a party face. In green is the phrase “alhamdulillah”, which means “praise be to God” in Arabic. The Home Office told The Express that the video shows no evidence of illegal nor malicious activity. There is also nothing to suggest that the people in the clip are asylum seekers, nor that it took place in asylum accomodation, the department added.
The TikTok account is believed to be that of a Sudanese man, reports the Daily Mail. Videos on his TikTok profile seem to suggest that he travelled to Britain from Africa after living in Egypt for five years, say the publication.
A table of food and drink can be seen (Image: TikTok)
A group of men are seen smiling and laughing (Image: TikTok)
The Mail reported that his content suggests he reached Britain by “unconventional” means. This includes a clip from May 17 showing him and others on a big boat wearing life jackets, including an Italian flag emoji.
It has been suggested that the vessel is the Solidaire, because its name is on the bright orange jackets worn by the individuals in the video. The boat carries out missions rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean.
A subsequent video showed the man apparently on Loano Beach, around 50 miles from Genoa, before further content suggested he was in Paris, specifically the Quartier de La Chapelle, a hub for migrants and refugees.
After what looks to have been about five months in France, on November 11, the man shared a post with the caption: “Last but not least, the destination was successfully reached.”
This was after seemingly congratulating others after they had arrived the UK.
Around 36,000 asylum seekers were housed in UK hotels at the end of September, the latest available figures show, with the Home Office saying fewer than 200 hotels are now in use.
The Home Secretary, Shabana Mahmood, has announced she will end the government’s duty to support all destitute asylum seekers as she seeks to shut more asylum hotels, sources told PA.
Videos appear to show a man’s journey to the UK (Image: TikTok)
The plan is to remove support from some asylum seekers and begin evicting people from hotels in the spring.
In a move first reported by the i paper, Ms Mahmood will target asylum seekers who could support themselves financially but choose not to, along with those who have a right to work, who break the law or work illegally, and those who refuse an order to leave the UK.
This is expected to allow her to remove support from thousands of the 111,651 people receiving payments or accommodation from the Government.
But many are likely to remain eligible for support.
A Home Office spokesperson said: “We are furious at the level of illegal migrants and asylum hotels.
“This government will close every asylum hotel. Work is well underway to move asylum seekers into more suitable accommodation such as military bases, to ease pressure on communities across the country.
“We are working closely with local authorities, property partners and across-government so that we can accelerate delivery.”
