A Conservative Member of Parliament desires my removal due to our disagreement regarding the government’s response to Covid.
The single mother claims that Tory MP Gary Streeter, who was recorded on CCTV vandalizing a security camera at her residence, only initiated eviction proceedings against her after their disagreement regarding Covid.
- In 2016, Layla Williams, aged 38, started her employment on Tory MP Gary Streeter’s farm.
- In 2018, she mentioned that she had relocated to a bungalow, but their disagreement arose due to Covid-19.
The friendship between a single mother and a Tory MP was damaged due to the MP’s party’s position on Covid-19, according to the mother who is now facing eviction.
Layla Williams was hired by Gary Streeter, a Tory MP, to take care of his horses on his farm located in Plympton, Devon.
Ms Williams, 38, moved into a bungalow on the politician’s farm in 2018, but their amicable relationship deteriorated over the course of the pandemic.
The politician initially billed her £700 each month, but later lowered it to £550.
According to the Register of Members’ Interests, the Member of Parliament (MP) has been working as a non-executive director for Rentplus-UK ltd since April 2019, earning over £140,000. Additionally, the MP has hired his wife, Janet Streeter, as a part-time Junior Parliamentary Researcher.
He does not need to report the rental earnings from the two-bedroom bungalow since it does not exceed the £10,000 per year threshold for a “substantial income.”
Yesterday, CCTV footage emerged of the MP, who has been in parliament since 1992, ripping down cameras from outside Ms Williams’ home.
The mother-of-one – who admits she hasn’t paid rent on the property since January He asserts that his request for her and her 12-year-old son to vacate has caused fear in both of them.
She had already installed security cameras at her home on the farm in Plympton, Devon, and has now captured footage of him ‘angrily’ ripping them down.
Gary Streeter seen on CCTV (right) tearing a camera off a bungalow currently occupied by tenant Layla Williams (left) who is behind on her rent
In an interview with MailOnline, Ms Williams explained that she started working for the MP in 2016, taking care of his family’s horses and cleaning the stables.
She expressed that initially everything was going well and they had a positive connection. Although they were often away, their interactions were satisfactory and without any issues.
We only began experiencing difficulties when the covid pandemic emerged.
At the start of 2020, Ms Williams expressed having “differing viewpoints” regarding the Tory government’s handling of the pandemic. She asserts that her disagreement with Streeter led to their falling out.
She stated, “He expressed that if you oppose our beliefs, we cannot allow you to remain here.” She mentioned that he insisted on my departure within a timeframe of two months.
“He communicated to me in writing that he no longer desired my presence in that workplace due to my divergent viewpoint.”
Ms Williams initially threatened him with an unfair dismissal claim, but instead opted for a £1500 redundancy claim to avoid any legal complications. She subsequently remained residing at the property.
She stated: ‘From that point forward, whenever I voiced any complaints about the property or any broken items, he would consistently threaten to evict me. He made a habit out of it.’
Ms Williams stated that she utilized an online form to report the Member of Parliament representing South West Devon to the police for the purported offenses of criminal damage and harassment. She mentioned that she is currently waiting for a reply.
Other videos she has recorded include him attempting to bash the cameras with a stick and returning in what she said was a ‘panic’ to try and fix it after dumping in the bushes.
The footage additionally captures Mr. Streeter entering through her gate and peering into the windows, even when Layla mentioned that she and her son were asleep.
Mr. Streeter has obtained a Section 8 eviction notice against Layla at Plymouth County Court and warned that he would send the bailiffs to forcibly remove her if she did not vacate the premises promptly.
He refuted any allegations of harassment and claimed that he had attempted to display kindness towards her. However, he obtained the order because she had not paid rent since January.
However, Ms Williams stated that she ceased making rent payments based on advice received, as she alleged that essential repairs were not being addressed. She provided a Section 21 eviction notice, which was initially served as evidence of the landlord’s original intentions.
Ms Williams, who has recently discovered a different property, stated that she did not contest the directive and intends to adhere to it by vacating the premises in the near future.
However, she expressed her desire to voice her concerns regarding her treatment due to growing worries about his behavior.
She further stated: ‘The situation has become quite disturbing.
Other videos she has recorded include him attempting to bash the cameras with a stick
Mr. Streeter has obtained a Section 8 eviction notice against Layla at Plymouth County Court and stated that he would send the bailiffs to remove her if she did not vacate the premises promptly.
I have captured him on surveillance footage removing my camera from the wall, attempting to access a gate that I have since secured with a padlock, and peering into my windows.
The sole inference I can make is that his intention was to intimidate me. He has harbored a desire to remove me for quite some time.
“He initially presented me with an eviction notice based on ‘no fault’, indicating that this action was driven solely by greed to increase profits.”
I will adhere to the court’s directive and depart peacefully.
I have every legitimate reason to be present and reside here without experiencing any form of harassment. This place has been our residence for a significant period of time.
Ms Williams mentioned that she had installed three cameras, yet it appeared that he was only cognizant of one.
She stated: ‘I personally witnessed him dismantle one, discard it in the bushes, and then look through the window.
This is definitely not an acceptable behavior for a Member of Parliament. He has completely lost control.
Mr Streeter has been a Conservative MP for South West Devon since 1997, previously holding the nearby seat of Plymouth Sutton between 1992 and 1997.
Ms Williams, a lifelong resident of the Plympton area, expressed her fear of someone peering into her window while she is in bed, stating that it has been a frightening experience at times.
Ms Williams stated that she commenced her employment with Mr Streeter at the start of 2016, taking care of their horses and performing stable cleaning duties.
When they were not at home, she would also take care of their dogs and watch over their house.
The footage also captures Mr. Streeter entering through her gate and peering inside the windows, even when Layla mentioned that she and her son were asleep.
Layla mentioned that she had chosen not to pay the rent starting from January based on advice received, as there was a shortage of employment opportunities and essential repairs needed at the property.
Layla Williams’ CCTV camera that Tory MP Gary Streeter pulled off her house
Ms Williams also has a CCTV camera on the inside of her property
The Member of Parliament stated that the tenant received a section 8 notice due to non-payment of rent starting from January 2023.
“For the previous two years, we have agreed to a reduced monthly rent of £550 for a two-bedroom bungalow in the South Hams, instead of the originally stated £700 according to the tenancy agreement, in order to assist her.”
At no point has there been any form of harassment, only an abundance of patient kindness.
On September 19, 2023, the Plymouth County Court issued a possession order to be executed within 14 days. Additionally, a judgment was made for the payment of £4,400 in outstanding arrears, along with associated costs.
The bailiffs will receive instructions as she has not yet moved out.
I won’t be providing any additional public statement.
Ms Williams stated that she is currently in the process of relocating and has already secured alternative accommodations.
Devon and Cornwall Police stated that they were unable to provide any comments regarding the allegations.
