Migrant housing rumours 'upsetting', council says

False rumours spread on social media saying illegal immigrants were housed in university halls and a city hotel are "upsetting", a council leader has said.

The head of Portsmouth City Council, Steve Pitt, said it was "horrifying" how quickly the fake stories gained traction.

The Home Office and the University of Portsmouth have also both dismissed the rumours.

Councillor Kimberly Barrett said staff and guests at the Ibis hotel at the heart of the claims had received abuse.

Replying to comments posted on Facebook she said her and other councillors had also received abuse.

Mr Pitt told BBC Radio Solent this "goes with the job these days" for councillors.

He said: "Facebook in particular at the moment is a bear pit.

"People are jumping to false conclusions, believing fake narratives and these things just run away with themselves."

The council was trying to give residents facts and information but some "people don't want to hear the truth", Mr Pitt said.

He said he believed those behind the posts had an agenda to "break down community cohesion".

He explained that migrants were "dispersed by the government, not by local councils" and that the local authority supported asylum seekers in the city.

A University of Portsmouth spokesperson said the halls mentioned in the rumours had recently been refurbished and were now home to new students.

You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.