Labour leader backed group that issued squatting guide
JEREMY Corbyn demanded the ripping up of anti-squatting laws and backed a militant group that issued a ‘how to’ guide advocating the occupation of family homes, it can be revealed today.
The Labour leader and his Shadow Chancellor, John McDonnell, praised squatting as ‘one of Britain’s oldest forms of tenancies’ as they said it should not be illegal to take over residential buildings.
Last night the Tories claimed Mr Corbyn would hand taxpayers’ cash to trespassers and illegal traveller camps if he gets into Downing Street.
In 2013, Mr Corbyn and Mr McDonnell hosted in Parliament pro- squatting campaign group Squash, which on its website advises anarchists on how to get into people’s homes at night – known as ‘cracking’.
A DIY guide on ‘how to crack a space’ gives information on disabling burglar alarms, climbing through open windows, changing the locks, barricading entrances, and frustrating eviction proceedings by not giving real names. It encourages people to ‘look around for a potential space on a midnight cycle or daytime stroll’.
It adds: ‘Once a suitable building has been found, you will need to assemble a crew to “crack” the space.
‘Have a midnight scout to look for open windows and when you find one, get someone inside.
‘Once in the building make sure to change the locks, secure entrances with barricades, and put an updated Section 6 notice up on all entrances, which pre- vents the landlord breaking in illegally.’ Mr Corbyn and Mr McDonnell both attended and spoke at a campaign meeting for Squatters’ Action for Secure Homes (Squash) in the Commons in March 2013.
They also signed a parliamentary motion backing the group’s call for laws curbing squatting in residential property to be repealed.
Mr McDonnell was due to chair the meeting but was only able to attend part of the session. He called for MPs and peers to work together to introduce pro-squatting legislation
Last October, Mr Corbyn personally endorsed a campaign to
allow trespassers to receive legal aid. This would include supporting travellers on unauthorised encampments with taxpayers’ money, resisting attempts by councils to remove them.
Legal aid has not been available for trespassers since April 2013, but in a letter of support for the ‘nomad law’ campaign, he wrote: ‘i fully agree with the proposal to reversing the restrictions.’
Tory Home Office minister Brandon Lewis said last night: ‘Jeremy Corbyn wants to give taxpayers’ money to trespassers and give a green light to illegal encampments across England.
‘These extreme and nonsensical policies would blight commu- nities, causing misery for their law- abiding citizens. Corbyn would go back to the bad old days of Labour, where planning rules weren’t applied fairly and special treatment was given to different groups.
‘Worse, Jeremy Corbyn would rip up anti-squatting laws, endorsing militant groups and anarchists who want to break into people’s property when they are away.’
A spokesman for Mr Corbyn said: ‘Labour will ensure people have the support and resources to get into work and build a million new homes to make sure noone is forced to sleep on the streets because of the Government’s failures.’