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| The house. |
You can be penniless and jobless and still live in a £1.3 million (about N325million) and earn weekly stipends all paid for by the government.
If truth be told, only few countries still look after penniless immigrants like the UK does.
The outrage generated among UK citizens by the news of an immigrant family who trashed an upscale residence allocated to them in London seems quite justified. And many prospective immigrants are seething with rage at the apparent frittering of golden opportunity by the controversial family.
Mother-of-seven Manal Mahmoud moved into the upmarket Fulham address almost three years ago, but have since been branded the ‘family from hell’ by neighbours.
The owner of the property says doors are missing, wallpaper has been ripped off, driveway tiles have been smashed, walls written on and furniture has been left strewn in the garden.
Mrs Mahmoud, who is in her late 40s, moved to the UK 12 years ago to escape fighting and political problems in her native Palestine.
But since she’s settled in west London, neighbours have complained about their antisocial behaviour to the council and police.
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| The upscale neighbourhood |
‘I deserve to live in a nice house and get benefits. I deserve this house because I am human. In this country, it is our right to live here. It is important for my kids to have space to play,’ Mrs Mahmoud said.
All of her seven children, including five young daughters live at the address apart from her oldest son who is in prison for drug dealing.
But now she could face eviction after the landlord of the three-bedroom property, Sue Cummings, apparently found the home had been ‘trashed’.
‘I am entitled to live in a house like this, even if I don’t pay for it. It is fair that the government houses us,’ she said.
‘My family gives something back to the community. I know I have a son who makes trouble but that does not mean all my children are the same.
She added: ‘All the neighbours are just complaining because the landlord rented the house to council tenants. They don’t want a foreigner to come and live in this street.
Hammersmith and Fulham Council said it may fight to evict the family at a court hearing on Thursday.
Deputy council leader Greg Smith said: ‘We have warned this family that they face eviction if their appalling behaviour does not improve.
‘There is a court hearing fixed for Thursday and we are working hard to resolve this matter.’
Why people struggle for asylum in the UK? It is because it is a society where the weak and poor are catered for by the strong and the rich. It is unfortunate that some elements are abusing the privilege.
