UK government ‘complicit’ in asylum seeker hotel attacks, say unions

Workers urged to mobilise against far-right groups as senior Tory politicians are accused of demonising refugees

Some of Britain’s biggest unions have accused the government of being “complicit” in attacks on hotels housing asylum seekers, and are urging members to “mobilise” against far-right groups seemingly emboldened by the rhetoric of senior Tory politicians.

The first big intervention by trade unions on the increasingly politicised issue follows comments on Friday by the Conservative party’s deputy chairman, Lee Anderson, who said he had sympathy with people protesting outside hotels.