Hove MP raised squatting at Prime Minister’s Questions

Hove MP Mike Weatherley criticised the Squatters Network of Brighton (and Hove Actually) at Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons today (Wednesday 23 May).

The Conservative MP said: “Last weekend the Squatters Network of Brighton and Hove invited its anarchist friends from around Europe to campaign against what they call Weatherley’s law.

“Will the Prime Minister condemn, with me, the Green Party’s support for squatters and welcome, as I do, the criminalisation of squatting?”

David Cameron replied: “I certainly support what my honourable friend says. This law was long overdue.

“It is very important that home owners have proper protection from people, in effect, stealing their property, which is what squatting is. It is a criminal act and it is now a criminal offence.”

Mr Weatherley has been campaigning for squatting to be criminalised since his election to Parliament in 2010.

He said that squatting was a huge problem in Brighton and Hove, with numerous instances of this organised and frequently menacing behaviour blighting the lives of ordinary people.

A change in the law is expected soon which will see squatting in residential properties made a criminal offence.

The new legislation has been dubbed “Weatherley’s Law” by its supporters and by squatters.

Mr Weatherley said: “I am delighted that the Prime Minister strongly supports the criminalisation of squatting.

“I have been working hard since I was elected to ensure that squatters can no longer take advantage of ordinary citizens.

“It’s not right, it’s not fair and it now it will rightly be a criminal offence.”

The Squatters Network of Brighton (and Hove Actually) – or SNOB(AHA) – held a “convergence” in St James’s Street, Brighton, from Thursday (17 May) until Sunday (20 May). The last people left on Monday evening (21 May).

The group’s website said: “Over 100 people came from faraway lands, such as France, Germany, Greece, Spain, Norway, Manchester, London, Bristol and Lewes.

“It was a great weekend where over 20 workshops and skill shares took place.”

They included community responses to sexual violence, Squatters Legal Network, and women’s DIY health.

Speakers came from Calais Migrant Solidarity, Smash EDO, Stop Huntington Animal Cruelty (SHAC) and Traveller Solidarity.