Iranian terrorist lives rent-free while SAS siege hero is homeless
A FORMER SAS soldier who participated in the 1980 Iranian Embassy siege has revealed he is unable to get a council house despite one of the terrorists living in taxpayer-funded accommodation.
Bob Curry, who served in the SAS for 16 years, has said he has been forced to sell his medals and sleep on his daughter’s sofa after Hertfordshire county council was unable to find him a home.
The 64-year-old, who appeared on Good Morning Britain to tell his story, became homeless after the collapse of his business, which taught veterans to become locksmiths.
Meanwhile, Fowzi Nejad, 61, the only terrorist to survive the siege, cannot be sent back to Iran because of human rights laws, so instead he lives in Peckham, south London.
Nejad spent 28 years in jail before he became eligible for parole three years ago. It is reported that he is now living rent free. When asked about Nejad, the Army veteran said: “As far as I’m concerned he should still be in prison. He murdered people in this country.”
Mr Curry, who helped to save 19 hostages during the London embassy siege, has also been living in B&BS.
Talking about his struggle, he said: “We have had a constant battle with the council, we really have...it wasn’t until the ex-mayor stepped in and started asking questions that anything has happened. But to this day I still haven’t got anywhere to live.” Mr Curry revealed how he had sold his medals for £20,000, but that money was put into the business. “It was heartbreaking because I was awarded them by this great country ... and it’s not just me. It’s the other veterans – the 13,000 of them living on the street.”
A council spokesman said it was working to find Mr Curry accommodation. A statement said: “Unfortunately, to date the individual has not provided all the documentation needed to legally register for housing. However, regardless of this, the council’s housing team has found and offered two different forms of accommodation, in areas which were agreeable ...but which have subsequently been turned down.
“We are continuing to work with the individual to help them.”
An online petition, started by EX-SAS soldier and author Andy Mcnab, which is calling on the council to house Mr Curry, had attracted almost 300,000 signatures on Change.org last night.