Labour won the legal battle over asylum hotels, but the right is running the story

Ruling has bought government time to plan closures but Farage and Tories have more fuel for their grievances

• Asylum seekers to remain at Epping hotel after court of appeal revokes ban

Protesters were already gathering outside the Bell hotel by Friday evening with union flags and St George’s flags waving. This court ruling was never going to end as a quiet legal moment.

For the Home Office, the court of appeal’s decision was a practical win. If the ruling had gone the other way, the government would have been forced to rehouse 138 asylum seekers in a matter of days, opening the floodgates to similar legal challenges from other councils. Since there is scant alternative accommodation available, this ruling buys the government time.