Councils across England are mulling their own legal actions after a district council in Epping scored a High Court victory temporarily blocking asylum seekers from being housed in a hotel in the town. Conservative-run Broxbourne Council in Hertfordshire said it was taking legal advice “as a matter of urgency” about whether it could take similar action to Tory-led Epping Forest District Council.

Reform UK’s leader Nigel Farage indicated the 12 councils where his party is the largest party would consider legal challenges after the ruling on Tuesday (August 19). Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Farage said the local authorities would do “everything in their power to follow Epping’s lead”.

A High Court judge ruled the former Bell Hotel in Epping must stop housing asylum seekers by September 12.

The Home Office had warned the judge an injunction could “interfere” with the department’s legal obligations. Lawyers representing the hotel’s owner argued it would set a “precedent”.

Border security minister Dame Angela Eagle said the Government will “continue working with local authorities and communities to address legitimate concerns”.

She added: “Our work continues to close all asylum hotels by the end of this Parliament.”

Mr Justice Eyre granted the temporary injunction, but extended the time limit by which the hotel must stop housing asylum seekers to September 12.

He also refused to give hotel owner, Somani Hotels Limited, the green light to challenge his ruling. The company could still ask the Court of Appeal for the go-ahead to appeal against the judgment.