Wednesday, March 9, 2011

North London Residence Owned by Gaddafi's Son Taken Over by Squatters

Buckle your safety belts butter beans...

Last week we discussed a plush north London residence (allegedly) owned by Saif Gaddafi, the second son of embattled and defiant Libyan dictator Col. Muammar al-Gaddafi. At that time the 7 bedroom and 10 terlit residence was available for lease with an asking price of £9,750 per week.

Since then the super-luxe 4-floor Georgian-style mansion has been taken off the market and, in a truly fascinating turn of events, taken over by a group of politically-motivated squatters who call their ad hoc organization "Topple The Tryrants."

Reports in the London papers and on the BBC website indicate that the bobbies have rolled by the property but have yet to make any effort to dissuade or remove the squatters who believe the property was purchased by ill-gotten proceeds and want ownership transferred to the Libyan people. The squatters have not only hung anti-Gaddafi banners from the roof they've set up house in the luxurious residence where they are, reportedly, monitoring the dramatic and historic rebellion in Libya on Al Jazeera.

We are all but speechless and slack-jawed with awe.

photo: Alan Davidson as appeared in the Daily Mail

12 comments:

Lilithcat said...

Right on!

Anonymous said...

such a novel way to deal with war criminals...why didn't we think of this? I understand the Bushes and the Cheneys have some lovely homes....

Anonymous said...

If they trash/destroy the property, the homeowners insurance probably won't pay the owner....civil insurrection/riot/act of war exceptions......

Housey said...

So they are actually inside the house? You'd think a family like the Gaddafis would have security for their houses.

Anonymous said...

It is hardly believable but true: squatting homes is, under certain conditions, not against the law in London. Just google "advisory service for squatters".

Madam Pince said...

Well done, squatters! Carry on.

Anonymous said...

Hmm, Texas or Wyoming...tough choice.

Lady J

Anonymous said...

This happens all the time in London, usually in empty homes that are waiting to be refurbished. One of the most famous cases were the squatters in a £20M Park Lane mansion ... if I remember correctly they even had a rave & so many people turned up that it basically closed down Park Lane & had the police, fire brigade & paramedics called out. The Mayfair neighbors weren't impressed. Then a couple years ago the £30M-£40M house next door to Nigella Lawson on Eaton Sq was taken over by squatters. It happens pretty frequently, London rent is expensive!

I'm not entirely sure but I don't think the Police can legally move them, not too sure of the laws but I know it's usually pretty difficult & I think the homeowner has to get a court order [?] for them to be moved on.

This case is a little different because this house is not derelict inside & certainly not waiting to be refurbished. That's the reason they can usually gain entry, empty derelict homes aren't always secured like a home that is actually lived in. How they bypassed electric gates, alarms, locks etc.. god only knows ... I think if they force entry then it's against the law but if they can get in without 'breaking in' then it's not ... I'm not up to date with squatters rights but they're pretty complicated.

lil' gay boy said...

Squat on!

Gotta love the Brits ––– they can do it with real style.

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

It's such a joy to see that the revolutionary spirit lives on the monarchical Britain. Aren't there other properties of Arab dictators around that could be taken over by the people?

Princess Shotsavodka said...

i'm having a rave at Candy Spelling's place tonight and you're all invited!