AN MP wants an official investigation into a hotel which is set to house asylum seekers, as customers still wait for refunds after having major events cancelled.

Rayleigh and Wickford MP Mark Francois has written to the chief executive of Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) asking for a formal investigation to be launched.

Mr Francois says he has been spurred into action “following multiple accusations”.

Last month it was revealed the Old London Hotel was set to house asylum seekers on behalf of the Home Office.

The owners have remained tight-lipped on plans for the hotel amid reports of a raft of last-minute cancellations of weddings and events, and have declined to comment when contacted by the Echo.

The Conservative MP, who labelled the proposals “misguided” in Parliament, says he has received multiple complaints about how the hotel has been run since.

Mr Francois said: “It appears that a number of events at the Chichester, such as weddings, have recently been brutally cancelled at short notice and, so far at least, it seems that some of those who had made those bookings in good faith have not even been reimbursed. This is completely unacceptable.

“I attempted to contact the hotel managers, at The Chichester, via my office almost three weeks ago, but to date they have effectively refused to communicate with me as the local MP, or indeed the local and national press.

“Having received no response from the hotel’s management, I have now also made the Home Office aware, at ministerial level, of these allegations.”

Out-of-pocket customers say they are still waiting to get their money back after having their dream wedding plans dashed at the last minute.

Daniel Bing, 32, and Amy Oxborrow, 29, were due to get married at the hotel on August 6.

The couple spent to £5,000 on their big day, which was cancelled with one month’s notice, but have yet to receive a refund.

Amy’s mother, Sylvie Oxborrow, said: “We haven’t heard anything back about getting our money back yet.

“We have been busy rearranging the wedding but will look into how to recoup the money when have time.”