THE state of properties owned by Labour's Jas Athwal is “unacceptable”, Keir Starmer said – although he resisted suspending the whip from the MP.
The Prime Minister said it was “not good enough” for Athwal to allow tenants to live in flats infested with ants and with black mould on the walls.
Starmer further said his party's MP had to take action to put it right “as quickly as possible”.
Athwal, the MP for Ilford South in east London, owns a rental portfolio including 15 residential and three commercial properties in the capital, according to Parliament’s register of MPs’ interests.
A BBC investigation found black mould in some of the properties, with dirty and dark communal areas, fire alarms hanging loose from the ceiling, and ant infestations in a number of the seven flats in one block.
Starmer said: “It’s unacceptable for any landlord, and I’ll be really clear about that it doesn’t matter whether it’s a Labour MP or anybody else, it’s unacceptable.
“What’s happened in this case is this MP has now recognised that, is taking the necessary measures to put it right.
“The sooner that’s done, the better, but I’m not going to pretend to you or anybody else that this is in any way acceptable.”
Asked if he would strip the Labour whip from the MP if the problems were not resolved, Starmer said: “It has to be put right. He’s taking action to put it right, we need to do that as quickly as possible.”
Athwal has dismissed the agent responsible for managing the properties, saying he was “shocked and sickened” by the series of problems and “furious” not to have been made aware of them earlier.
In a statement posted online on Sunday, Athwal said: “As the landlord, the buck stops with me, and I unreservedly apologise to my tenants for the unacceptable experiences they have endured.
“I will be reimbursing every tenant that is out of pocket for repairs or renewals they have had to undertake.
“I will be conducting a survey of my tenants, so that all issues are uncovered and I am confident each one is living in secure, comfortable homes.”
According to the register of interests, Athwal’s rental properties are “co-owned with (a) family member”.
