This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/8144906.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| MP couple win squatter court bid | MP couple win squatter court bid |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| Married Labour MPs Ann and Alan Keen have won a court hearing to take their "main" home back from squatters. | Married Labour MPs Ann and Alan Keen have won a court hearing to take their "main" home back from squatters. |
| A judge at Brentford County Court granted the couple an Interim Possession Order at a civil hearing. | A judge at Brentford County Court granted the couple an Interim Possession Order at a civil hearing. |
| It comes as the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner confirmed the pair are facing a probe over the property. | It comes as the Parliamentary Standards Commissioner confirmed the pair are facing a probe over the property. |
| Under Commons rules, they should have spent most of their nights there but it emerged last month that it had not been lived in for up to a year. | Under Commons rules, they should have spent most of their nights there but it emerged last month that it had not been lived in for up to a year. |
| The couple insist they were only staying full-time at their taxpayer-funded "second" home - which is just nine miles away in Westminster - while renovations took place. | The couple insist they were only staying full-time at their taxpayer-funded "second" home - which is just nine miles away in Westminster - while renovations took place. |
| But a spokeswoman for standards commissioner John Lyon said: "The commissioner has received a complaint, and agreed to investigate it." | But a spokeswoman for standards commissioner John Lyon said: "The commissioner has received a complaint, and agreed to investigate it." |
| 'Party' | |
| The squatters, who entered the empty property on 26 June, will have 24 hours to vacate the terraced home once the notice has been served. | |
| Mr and Mrs Keen were not at the hearing. A second hearing for a final possession order will be set at a later date. | |
| The Keens say they are very upset by the squatters' actions | |
| Speaking after the hearing, defendant James Lloyd, 29, said: "It's done, our message is out there. Now we are going to go home and have a big old party and really enjoy our last few nights in the Keen house." | |
| The squatters claim to have been occupying the house in protest at the Keen's alleged abuse of the expenses system. | |
| "As far as we are concerned, any money that has gone into their pocket, if they are misusing that money, they should be held accountable for that," added Mr Lloyd. | |
| The Keens say they have lived in the house for 22 years and insist it is being renovated. | |
| In a statement two weeks ago they said: "It is our home and has been very special to us for a long time. | |
| "We find it extremely upsetting to know that our house is occupied by squatters who appear to believe that they are entitled to do what they wish in our property." |