Refugee family left 'homeless' as police investigate alleged assault at hotel putting up asylum seekers

A refugee father and his family have been left 'homeless' following allegations he was assaulted at a hotel housing asylum seekers. Shay Babagar, his wife and daughter have been sofa surfing since leaving the hotel in November.

Protesters stormed Stockport council offices on Tuesday (April 11), demanding the family is housed immediately. The local authority says it is bound by laws requiring the Home Office provides asylum seekers accommodation.

Greater Manchester Police have confirmed an investigation into a suspected assault on Shay at the hotel where they lived is ongoing, but no arrests have been made. Serco, which manages the hotel, 'completely refutes' the allegations.

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The family arrived in Greater Manchester last year after fleeing Pakistan where the 35-year-old father was involved in political groups fighting for the freedom of the Balochistan region which they say is occupied. Shay believes he and his family's lives would be in danger if they were returned to Pakistan.

The human rights activist went on hunger strike in November to highlight the alleged conditions asylum seekers are facing at hotels. Allegations of assault at the hotel where Shay's family were housed were reported to the police while he was in hospital.

Since then, the family has been staying with people in Stockport where they have received help from various groups including Manchester charity RAPAR. But they refuse to return to any Serco-run hotel.

Legal proceedings relating to the suitability of the contingency accommodation offered to Shay’s family are under way, but a judicial review has not yet been lodged.

The Local Democracy Reporting