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Retired solicitor Stephen Horne outside the building
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Is minister key to riddle of ‘eyesore’ building’s owner?
Lord Triesman pressed to help bid to demolish clothing factory
FOREIGN and Commonwealth Office Minister Lord Triesman of Tottenham is at the centre of a mystery over a forgotten property in Finsbury Park.
The semi-derelict and empty building in Monsell Road has been an “eyesore” for more than a decade. Residents had been unable to discover who owned it.
But a Land Registry search by a retired solicitor revealed the building is owned by Mortgage Credit Ltd, which has a registered office at Tudor House, Llanover Road, Wembley.
In the Register of Lords’ interests, Lord Triesman – a former General Secretary of the Labour Party and former secretary of the Association of University Teachers – declares that he owns a 50 per cent share in the company, the remainder belonging to his sister.
He states he is not a director, having passed all control to his sister in 2003.
Green councillor Katie Dawson is calling on Lord Triesman, who is also a member of Highgate Literary and Scientific Institute, to confirm whether or not he is the owner of the property, a former clothing factory, or if he knows anything about it.
The Tribune made contact briefly by phone with Lord Triesman at Westminster on Monday. He said: “As a minister I do not have an interest in any outside companies or properties.”
Asked if the property might belong to another member of his family, he refused to speculate but added that it was possible before putting the phone down.
Cllr Dawson said: “It’s all very peculiar. The property has been empty for 10 years and no one knows anything about it. Meanwhile, it’s falling down.”
Retired solicitor Stephen Horne, who has been investigating the background of the property, has called on Lord Triesman to help solve the mystery.
Mr Horne said he speaks on behalf of many residents who would like to see the building demolished and replaced with something in keeping with the area.
He added: “Although it has been secured, cats get in and become trapped. I understand there’s rusting machinery inside and the building is rotting and posing a potential vermin problem.”
Mr Horne said a dangerous structure notice had been served on the owners. “I understand from the council that an upper floor to the building was taken down a few years ago,” he added.
“According to the council website there have been no applications to acquire the building since 1982.”
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