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London squatters occupying £15m mansion in standoff with bailiffs London squatters occupying £15m mansion evicted
(about 1 hour later)
Squatters occupying a £15m mansion in London’s exclusive Belgravia neighbourhood are engaged in standoff with bailiffs sent to evict them in a dawn raid on Wednesday morning. Squatters occupying a £15m mansion in London’s exclusive Belgravia have been evicted after after a two-hour standoff with bailiffs following a dawn raid on Wednesday.
About 30 squatters, including several anarchist activists, barricaded themselves inside the five-storey house in Eaton Square, as bailiffs surrounded the building. About 30 squatters, including several anarchist activists, barricaded themselves inside the five-storey house in Eaton Square as bailiffs surrounded the building.
Activists inside the building from the Autonomous Nation of Anarchist Libertarians (known by the acronym Anal) said some of the bailiffs tried to get on to the roof of the house after arriving at about 6am with an eviction notice. Activists inside the building from the Autonomous Nation of Anarchist Libertarians (known by the acronym Anal) said the bailiffs tried to get on to the roof of the house after arriving at about 6am with an eviction notice.
They have been occupying the house, which belongs to the Russian oligarch Andrey Goncharenko, for more than a week. A live video feed from inside the house, which the activists dubbed the “Anal Embassy”, showed the eviction unfold. Initially activists were seen repelling bailiffs at the front door. Minutes later, several bailiffs, accompanied by police officers, entered the house from another entrance or window and began dragging activists away.
One activist, called Daniel, said: “I think this is going to take some time. We have had a very good relationship with our neighbours. Some of them are embassies so I don’t think the bailiffs will want to cause a scene in an area like this. There’s a bit of a cat and mouse game going on here.” “The whole world is watching,” activists shouted as police and bailiffs arrived. They agreed to leave peacefully.
A private company called The Sheriffs Office carried out the eviction. Four of its security staff guarded the door as about 20 evicted squatters gathered on the pavement with their belongings. The activists had been occupying the house, which belongs to the Russian oligarch Andrey Goncharenko, for more than a week.
The security guards said the eviction was carried out peacefully. However, one of the squatters, Jessica, 23, said she had been roughly handled by a female security guard while she was standing on the balcony.
OAnother, Sam, said : “We enjoyed being neighbours with the Queen. This squat has had a real family vibe. We’ve been cooking together and looking after the homeless people. Nobody should have to be homeless.”
Another squatter, Daniel, said: “The security guards got in through the basement. We will be taking another building soon.”
The guards allowed some of the squatters back into the building. One was warned by a guard: “Any messing around and you are going to get wrapped up”
Earlier, one activist, called Daniel, said: “I think this is going to take some time. We have had a very good relationship with our neighbours. Some of them are embassies so I don’t think the bailiffs will want to cause a scene in an area like this. There’s a bit of a cat and mouse game going on here.”
He added: “We’re all packed up and standing in the hallway.”He added: “We’re all packed up and standing in the hallway.”
Activists said about 15 bailiffs, accompanied by police, had surrounded the building.Activists said about 15 bailiffs, accompanied by police, had surrounded the building.
A judge at Central London county courth ordered the eviction on Tuesday.A judge at Central London county courth ordered the eviction on Tuesday.
Goncharenko’s company, MCA Shipping, is registered at the same address in Gibraltar as Redmount Group, which describes itself as a management services company “offering individuals and companies the opportunity to use advantageous jurisdictions for personal and corporate planning”.Goncharenko’s company, MCA Shipping, is registered at the same address in Gibraltar as Redmount Group, which describes itself as a management services company “offering individuals and companies the opportunity to use advantageous jurisdictions for personal and corporate planning”.
The Redmount Group is one of the offshore companies named in the Panama Papers. Tim Lewis, who is registered as a director of both Redmount Group and MCA Shipping Ltd, provided a detailed witness statement to the court about the squatters’ occupation of Eaton Square, on behalf of MCA Shipping Ltd.The Redmount Group is one of the offshore companies named in the Panama Papers. Tim Lewis, who is registered as a director of both Redmount Group and MCA Shipping Ltd, provided a detailed witness statement to the court about the squatters’ occupation of Eaton Square, on behalf of MCA Shipping Ltd.
The judge agreed to listen to the squatters’ representations despite having concluded the hearing. But he rejected their request for an adjournment to give them more time to seek legal advice and was not persuaded to agree to their request to set aside the order, finding them guilty of trespass.The judge agreed to listen to the squatters’ representations despite having concluded the hearing. But he rejected their request for an adjournment to give them more time to seek legal advice and was not persuaded to agree to their request to set aside the order, finding them guilty of trespass.
“That’s squatting in colloquial terms,” the judge said. He also rejected the squatters’ request for permission to appeal.“That’s squatting in colloquial terms,” the judge said. He also rejected the squatters’ request for permission to appeal.
Since the squatters arrived at 102 Eaton Place they have provided food and clothing to homeless people as well as hosting film nights and talks on issues such as the large numbers of empty buildings in London and the growing toll of homelessness.Since the squatters arrived at 102 Eaton Place they have provided food and clothing to homeless people as well as hosting film nights and talks on issues such as the large numbers of empty buildings in London and the growing toll of homelessness.
On Saturday, the squatters were attacked by a violent group who hurled bricks, bottles and poles through the windows.On Saturday, the squatters were attacked by a violent group who hurled bricks, bottles and poles through the windows.
MCA Shipping Ltd’s solicitors, London-based Pemberton Greenish, declined to comment on the proceedings or on any connection between Lewis and the Panama Papers.MCA Shipping Ltd’s solicitors, London-based Pemberton Greenish, declined to comment on the proceedings or on any connection between Lewis and the Panama Papers.
The squat has attracted national attention. The BBC arts editor, Will Gompertz, said their actions could be considered an artistic act.