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Phil Jeffries as a young man |
‘Phil was a hero of squatters’ rights’
HE was not a trained lawyer, but when it came to a big legal battle – whether it was over squatting in empty properties or fighting the encroaching King’s Cross rail development – you had to have the “implacable” Phil Jeffries on your side.
There was standing room only when up to 120 people crammed into a hall in the Peel Centre in King’s Cross on Saturday to pay tribute to self-taught “people’s advocate” Mr Jeffries, who died of cancer in December, aged 55.
Camden councillors at the event included Labour’s Sue Vincent, and Roger Robinson, while a message of support from Brian Woodrow was read out.
Islington south and Finsbury MP Emily Thornberry, Lord Smith of Finsbury, Michael Edwards of the Railway Lands Group, and writers Duncan Campbell and Christian Wolmar, all spoke movingly about Phil’s involvement in various campaigns for social justice.
Christian Wolmar described the squatting scene in the 1970s, with thousands of empty properties in London going unoccupied despite a huge homeless problem.
“Phil was able to give advice to squatters and keep them out of the courts because he had genned up on the law,” he said. “Other campaigners used crowbars to gain entrance to empty properties but Phil used legal devices to great effect.
“There are probably people who Phil helped still living in homes today that they originally squatted in. He gave his advice free.”
Michael Edwards said Mr Jeffries was like David against the Goliath of the King’s Cross rail development. “He was always guided by strong socialist principles,” he added.
“His very sharp mind and strong commitment made him a powerful force in the work of our group, especially through his mastery of parliamentary and legal procedures.”
Most recently, Mr Jeffries was
instrumental in the preparing for the Think Again Campaign’s judicial review against Camden Council and then the public inquiry into the development of the Islington Triangle site.
Mr Jeffries left bequests in his will to Liberty, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, Amnesty and the Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture.
He leaves a partner, Diana Shelley, herself a formidable campaigner and chairwoman of the Cally Rail Group. |
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