Rumours swirling online about a closed hotel being prepared to house asylum seekers have been firmly dismissed by local officials, who say the claims are entirely false.
Plymouth City Council has issued a statement addressing what it describes as “fake news” circulating on social media regarding the use of hotels in the city.
The grade-II listed Duke of Cornwall Hotel – at the centre of the allegations – remains closed after it shut its doors at short notice in February to undertake an “essential improvement project”.
In a public update, the council said: “We have seen that there are rumours spreading online about a hotel in the city that is currently closed that is apparently ‘being prepped’ to be a hotel for asylum seekers. This is fake news.”
The authority added that no hotels in the area, whether open or closed, are being prepared for such use.
Responding to further speculation in online comments, the council reiterated its position, stating: “To reflect the further fake news from people’s comments below – there are NO hotels in the city being used as asylum hotels.”
The statement comes amid growing online discussion, with officials seeking to clarify the situation and counter misinformation.
