Legal News

A former MI5 officer has won his battle against eviction by Islington Council, after being told that he was spending too much time away from his council property.

The Evening Standard reports that Réda Hassaïne – who worked as an undercover agent – has received an apology from Islington Council’s housing department, whose housing officers had alleged that he had broken the terms of his tenancy agreement by spending long periods away from the council property where he lived.

Father-of-two Mr Hassaïne, 53 – an Algerian-born Muslim and British citizen who works as an author – had worked for M15 on counter-terrorism, for which he says he was paid “a pittance”. He has lived in Islington since 1997.

He was an informer for M15, Scotland Yard Special Branch and French security services – and exposed extremist activities at the Finsbury Park Mosque, The Standard reports. He stopped his undercover activities after receiving a brutal beating by followers of the cleric Abu Qatada.

He denied abusing his tenancy, saying that after retiring as an undercover operative for the security services, he had kept a low profile because of threats to his life.

He told housing officers that the anonymity of his council flat made him feel secure – and he was shocked when he received an eviction notice. Mr Hassaïne says that his intelligence activities mean he is “still keeping himself safe”, after being warned about threats to his life.

Islington Council’s housing department has told Mr Hassaïne that they were “unaware” of his security activities.

Partners for Improvement in Islington – which runs Islington Council’s housing department – declined to comment further.

Duncan Lewis Housing Solicitors

Duncan Lewis housing solicitors offer expert legal advice to social housing tenants facing eviction – and can advise on a wide range of matters under the Housing Act, including:

• Disrepair of rented property
• Housing Benefit
• Housing possession
• Notice to Quit
• Nuisance neighbours
• Right to Buy.

Duncan Lewis is a leading firm of Legal Aid solicitors – and also offers competitively priced private client services, including fixed fees whenever possible.