The protest erupted on Tuesday night outside the four-star Britannia International Hotel in Canary Wharf, which the government intends to use as temporary accommodation for asylum seekers, according to Tower Hamlets Council.

A large number of protesters and counter-demonstrators gathered outside an east London hotel after rumours spread on social media that asylum seekers are being housed there. Metropolitan Police officers were seen guarding the Britannia International Hotel on Marsh Wall, Canary Wharf. The force was contacted for comment.

A town on the outskirts of London was rocked by protesters who descended on a hotel housing asylum seekers for the second time in four days on Sunday night amid anger about a migrant accused of sexual assault.