London council reclaims flat rented by Sierra Leone's first lady

Southwark council has repossessed a two-bedroom flat in Walworth that was rented by Fatima Jabbe-Bio, the first lady of Sierra Leone. Jabbe-Bio had been named on the tenancy since 2007 and has divided her time between Sierra Leone and Britain since her husband was elected in 2018.

Housing rules state council properties should ordinarily be a tenant's principal residence, and a Times investigation raised questions after neighbours said they rarely saw Jabbe-Bio. The council said: "We can confirm we have taken possession of a property in Walworth following a 12-month investigation by our housing investigations team." Reginald Popoola, Southwark's executive member for council homes, said the flat would be handed to a family on the waiting list: "I look forward to bringing this council property back to its original purpose, which is to provide a safe and secure home for people with legitimate housing need on the council's waiting list." Jabbe-Bio told the BBC last month she had not acted improperly: "My children are all British citizens.

United Kingdom, Walworth, London

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