Laila Cunningham, a candidate for London Mayor representing Reform, co-owns a controversial hotel known for its poor conditions, including mold and bed bug infestations as reported by dissatisfied guests. Despite her anti-crime platform endorsed by Nigel Farage’s party, the £50-per-night New Dawn Hotel has been marred by negative feedback, with theft incidents being highlighted.

Cunningham, a former Conservative Party member with substantial property holdings, advocates for Londoners’ safety. However, concerns have been raised by a female guest regarding security at the New Dawn Hotel, discouraging others, especially women, from staying there due to safety issues like malfunctioning locks.

The hotel, owned by Plaza Continental Hotels Ltd, lists Cunningham as a 5% shareholder under her previous name, Laila Dupuy, in official filings. Despite her promises to tackle crime, guests have reported incidents like thefts totaling £2,000, undermining the hotel’s reputation.

Reviews of the hotel on various platforms paint a grim picture, with complaints of foul odors, safety hazards, and unhygienic conditions. Guests have shared unsettling experiences, including being locked in rooms and encountering unwelcome visitors, such as prostitutes, raising further concerns about the establishment’s management.

Westminster City Council has received complaints about the hotel’s state, prompting inspection visits to address reported issues. Cunningham, distancing herself from the hotel’s day-to-day operations, defended the property’s sentimental value to her family, clarifying her limited involvement in its management.

Reform UK, through a spokesperson, dismissed criticisms against Cunningham, emphasizing that she is not directly involved in the hotel’s operations. The party labeled efforts to link her to the hotel’s shortcomings based on select negative reviews as unfounded and misleading.