Former Conservative Councillor Faces Allegations of Hypocrisy in Rent Dispute
A former Conservative councillor in West London has been accused of threatening legal action against a local café owner for non-payment of rent, despite being in substantial arrears himself on the same property with Hillingdon Council. The controversy centers on Alan Deville, who previously served as a Tory councillor for the Yiewsley ward, and his handling of Cowley Meeting Hall.
Double Standards in Rental Payments
Alan Deville leases Cowley Meeting Hall from Hillingdon Council and sublets it to Theo’s Café, a practice explicitly prohibited under his lease agreement. In January, documents obtained by the Local Democracy Reporting Service revealed that Mr. Deville had failed to make lease payments to the council for an extended period, with the authority considering writing off this debt.
Despite this, Mr. Deville sent an email to café owner Erhan Sahin on March 6, threatening "further action" if rent arrears were not paid by March 13. Erhan, who pays £18,000 annually to Mr. Deville, responded by questioning whether the dispute with the council had been resolved and if he would be refunded, given that his landlord has not forwarded payments to Hillingdon Council. He has received no reply in the 11 days since.
Café Owner Expresses Shock and Disbelief
Erhan Sahin told reporters he was "shocked" by the email from his landlord, stating, "I was thinking, are you serious? You haven’t been paying a penny rent when I have been paying you £18,000 a year, you haven’t paid the council where your money should have been going, and now you are trying to get more money out of me? I couldn’t believe it."
Erhan has sought legal advice, which recommended withholding rent until the dispute between Mr. Deville and the council is settled. Council staff have confirmed that Mr. Deville remains in arrears, owing a peppercorn rent of £5,655 per year, though the reasons for this rate and the duration of non-payment remain unclear.
Council Investigation and Political Backlash
Hillingdon Council has declined to comment on specific details, citing legal reasons and commercial confidentiality. However, a spokesperson stated that the council is "continuing to thoroughly investigate this issue and is exploring all available avenues for resolution, including possible legal action."
The situation has drawn sharp criticism from local opposition figures. Cllr Sital Punja, Deputy Leader of Hillingdon Labour, called it "absolutely disgusting," adding, "What’s just as concerning is the lack of action from the Conservative-run council. If these allegations were about anyone else, you have to wonder whether the response would be the same."
Hillingdon Labour has formally requested an independent investigation into the financial dealings between Mr. Deville and the council, warning that the case risks appearing as "sleaze, double standards and one rule for Conservatives and another for everyone else."
Unanswered Questions and Ongoing Scrutiny
Mr. Deville has not responded to requests for comment, leaving key questions unanswered. The council’s previous statement indicated it is "carefully reviewing the circumstances of this particular case and the lease arrangement," but no timeline for resolution has been provided.
This incident highlights broader issues of accountability and transparency in local government, particularly regarding property management and political influence. As the investigation continues, stakeholders await clarity on whether Mr. Deville will settle his debts and how the council will address the apparent breach of lease terms.
