Unlawful occupation of council houses will not be tolerated

Lambeth Council

A council spokesman said: "This judgement sends out a clear message that unlawful occupation of council buildings will not be tolerated.

"We are totally committed to fighting for and recovering every piece of brick and mortar which rightfully belongs to council taxpayers."

Mr Archangel had erected a totem pole in the front garden to ward off Lambeth Council officials.

The dreadlocked squatter, also known as Michael Stewart and Michael XX, is said to be a veteran of several squats and a former leader of a group called Mustard - the Multiracial Union of Squatters To Alleviate Racial Discrimination.

He denied he is a professional squatter, once saying: "Give me some respect. I am a writer. I am poverty-stricken."

House recovery

Despite the squat's prime location in Stockwell Park Road, Lambeth Council only recently began a claim for possession.

It claims a lack of money for repairs led to the house, and other private properties bought by the government in the 1970s, being vacated and falling into disrepair.

The eviction follows a number of similar actions by Lambeth Council in recent months.

In January all but six of the 60 squatted flats at Oval Mansions, worth �6m, were recovered.

But in April, Lambeth Council lost a four-bedroom Victorian semi-detached home to squatter Ian Ames, when a judge awarded him possession.

After living there for 13 years, he reportedly sold it for over �100,000 and moved to Sydney, Australia.