Man arrested after blaze at asylum hotel

A fire at a London hotel housing asylum seekers is being treated as a hate crime and has been condemned as a "despicable and cowardly attack".

The blaze at the Thistle City Barbican Hotel, in Dingley Road, Islington, happened at about 22:50 BST on Wednesday, according to the Met Police. No-one was hurt and staff put out the flames before officers arrived.

The force said it was an isolated incident and it wanted to identify one suspect, while it was keeping an open mind about motive. There have been no arrests.

Islington Council leader, Una O'Halloran, and local MP Dame Emily Thornberry said: "We utterly condemn this despicable and cowardly attack that has no place in our community or society."

Their statement added: "Islington is a proud beacon of tolerance and diversity that welcomes people from all over the world."

Attempts to divide would fail, they said, adding that "this kind of violence can never be the answer".

"Anyone who seeks to incite hatred or violence has no place in Islington," they said.

The Met Police's Cdr Hayley Sewart said: "This is being treated as a hate crime and we are working at pace to locate the suspect."

The force is appealing for witnesses.

Nine people were arrested after a protest and counter-protest took place outside the hotel in August.