By Sebastian O’Kelly
Martin Boyd, the chair of the Leasehold Knowledge Partnership, has decided to resign and has announced his resignation publicly on Twitter today.
This is a huge loss to the Leasehold Knowledge Partnership, to the wider efforts to reform the leasehold system and to leaseholders generally.
Justin Madders MP, Labour MP for Ellesmere Port and Neston and an LKP patron, expressed his regret here:
Martin’s decision is prompted by the MHCLG civil servants’ response to his complaint about a meeting between LKP, Sir Peter Bottomley and the chair of the Leasehold Advisory Service, Wanda Goldwag on April 25 2019.
This meeting is reported in detail here:
‘If I fail to offend anyone, I will do it next time,’ Bottomley tells appalled leasehold professionals at LEASE annual conference
The matter is now the subject of a complaint to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman against MHCLG’s handling of the issue, which is expected to rule shortly. But the views of the civil service on the matter are clear.
Martin has argued that he was subjected to false accusations at the meeting. See article above.
The civil service have ignored these points in their response to the Ombudsman. As a result, Martin feels he has no credibility with officials, with whom LKP meets regularly, and has resigned as our chair.
Instead, the response addresses what the MHCLG permanent secretary terms Ms Goldwag’s “navy language”, which was deployed throughout the meeting.
According to the MHCLG permanent secretary Ms Goldwag is disposed to apologise for this, but after 18 months has not done so (there is reference to an attempt to obtain his phone number).
The meeting was also attended by myself, Katherine O’Riordan, Sir Peter Bottomley’s Senior Parliamentary Adviser, and Joanne Darbyshire, an LKP trustee and co-founder of the NLC.
The MHCLG has made no effort to contact any of those who were present.
Leaseholders should be in no doubt about what has been going on here.
The meeting with Wanda Goldwag was a disgrace.
She ignored the agenda, which the Leasehold Advisory Service had itself set, and immediately launched into a foul-mouthed attack on LKP and particularly Martin.
Neither Martin nor Sir Peter responded to these provocations, and throughout the meeting the only other person who spoke was me, to try to calm matters.
All present were aghast by this performance, the aim of which presumably was to break LKP’s relationship with MPs. It is most unlikely that someone of Ms Goldwag’s nature would make an accurate assessment of Sir Peter Bottomley. Or Martin, come to that.
Leaseholders may wish to ask:
Why should LKP lose its chair in these circumstances?
Why should leaseholders be deprived of the services – freely given over many years – of Martin Boyd because of a series of ill-disciplined and wrong accusations by someone on the public payroll?
How are leaseholders’ interests served by inaction over this by the civil service?
Many officials in MHCLG, other ministries, the Law Commission, the judiciary, the Competition and Markets Authority etc have had regular dealings with Martin Boyd.
If he is wrongly accused of bulling LEASE staff – many lowly paid, women and from ethnic minority backgrounds, as Ms Goldwag emphasised – they need to support him.
Cladding leaseholders in particular owe Martin Boyd a debt of gratitude: it was solely thanks to him that their issues were first raised in Westminster.
It is to be hoped that those MPs with whom LKP has worked for many years – many of them directly assisted by Martin – will not let this matter pass.
Related posts:
Martin Boyd returns to LKP
LKP trustees tell MHCLG that Martin Boyd can return to LKP any time
Martin Boyd should be the chair of LEASE
Reform laws on track for ‘second half of 2020’, Martin Boyd tells Property Week
Sebastian O’Kelly and Martin Boyd praised in House of Commons: put them on the board of LEASE and clear up the ‘muck’ of leasehold
You are better than commercial developers and freeholders so be kind over the cladding catastrophe, LKP urges housing association conference
Lease failed me with advice 20 years ago and left me fighting rogue freeholder till we finally achieved RTM last year. The more recent support and advice from LKP has been invaluable.
Sad loss to see Martin bullied from a voluntary role like this ..
I am so sorry to hear that Martin has left. Without LKP I would not have obtained RTM for my block and their advice has been invaluable. There are too few high profile people fighting the cause of Leaseholders – please don’t go.
There is a Spanish saying “if you don’t wash the dishes then you don’t risk breaking anything” Martin has broke a few cups – for example cladding and rogue freeholders – Martin, don’t resign. You have support in places you don’t even know about. You helped me as you’ve helped thousands of others and we’re all with you. LKP has achieved so much you can’t stop now.
We need to fight back. This cannot go unchecked.
LEASE works for big freeholders not Leaseholders.
LEASE has been about as useful as a chocolate teapot with regards to the Building Safety scandal that has arisen out of the Grenfell tragedy. As one of those who is affected by the combustible ACM scandal, I must put on record that the LKP’s Martin Boyd and Sebastian O’Kelly were the only ones who recognised the issue and truly helped – their actions and campaigning have helped to give me hope when I was at my lowest. I am convinced that without their efforts, especially bringing affected leaseholders together and educating MPs, the Building Safety Fund (insufficient as it currently is) would never have happened. Martin and Sebastian have put in an enormous amount of unpaid work to address this and other injustices arising from the feudal leasehold system. LEASE has never done anything to further leaseholder’s rights. We owe Martin and Sebastian huge debt of gratitude.
Deeply saddened to hear Martin has stepped down. The invaluable service and dedication this man has brought to the leasehold fight was irreplaceable. Selfishly, I do hope Martin has time to reflect and has a change of heart. If not you will certainly be missed. Take care!!
I am so sorry to read that Martin Boyd has resigned. He is a real gentleman; one of a kind and will be sorely missed from LKP. Thankyou Martin, for all you did to help me. I hope you will reconsider. LKP needs you.
Martin, Sebastian and and the LKP have worked tirelessly for leaseholders and have done an enormous amount to improve our issues.
We are finally receiving signifcant levels of media coverage and political enagement. Things may finally be coming to a head on some aspects of leasehold injustice.
I hope that the time soon comes when Martin feels able to re-assume his role with LKP. For now, thank you so much for all that you have done for so many!
I find the attitude of MHCLG pathetic and somewhat Trumpish – attack those who tell the truth.
The truth about leasehold and LEASE is obvious, Rather that tackle the real problem MHCLG throw up a smokescreen to hide around.
This is such an outrage! We are all behind you Martin in the same way you have been behind us leaseholders for so many years, Don’t let the bully win. Please reconsider, leaseholders need you!
This is just WRONG.
Leaseholders are complaining, far and wide, about the widespread financial exploitation they suffer from this outdated, unfair form of housing tenure.
LEASE, is an expensive, publicly funded service, offering some helpful advice, but having no remit to actually challenge and report back to government on the financial exploitation it must witness when numerous leaseholders seek advice.
LEASE needs to accept that it’s existence perpetuates a flawed, financially exploitative form of housing tenure.
The meeting, at which Wanda Goldberg became verbally aggressive, was a missed opportunity to exchange ideas with Leasehold reformers. It was never going to be an easy meeting, but a professional person would never sink to such aggressive behaviour.
This has only served to harm the reputation of LEASE itself. The wrong person has handed in their resignation, it would seem.
Please, please come back Martin. We so need your ongoing help. Please.
Please come back to LKP Martin. You knowledge is second to none. Wanda Goldberg should hang her head in shame. She’s nothing but a pure bully with a fancy title. Bullies pick on people/organisations which they are scared of deep down.
When my sons estate was hit with expensive major works bills a representative from LEASE came to a meeting and told all the leaseholders there was nothing we could do, we would just have to pay it. Luckily we ignored them and we took our case to tribunal and got the bills reduced from £24,000+ down to £3,500. Without the help and advice from Martin and LKP we would not have had the confidence to achieve this. His contribution to reforming the leasehold system is immeasurable. LEASE is a useless waste of money that leaseholders don’t trust. The government should get rid of them and use the money saved to help leaseholders. I hope Martin will reconsider and come back to LKP. He has the respect of the leaseholders and that is what is important.
Thank you, Martin, for all that you have done.
I have today written to my MP about the disgracefull way in which Mr Boyd has been treated by the chair of LEASE and the civil service response.
Martin should be rewarded for all the work he has undertaken on behalf of thousands of people he will never know personally, and I wish to thank him for all he has done.
I also complained to my MP as to why the building fraternity are donating large sums to the Conservative party funds, and told him there is only one conclusion to be drawn, ie that these people are using financial coercion in order to influence political decisions and I have asked him to give me an account of how much and who is donating.
I would also ask if there is a way of honouring those like Martin Boyd and Katie Kendrick for their work with helping ordinary people fight against this leasehold evil, I think they should both have some sort of civic recognition and if it were up to me I would have them both given knighthoods. Or a petition started to recognise their contribution to obtain justice in a flawed legal system.
I hope Martin will reconsider and perhaps have a break for a while until the proposed Legislation comes about.
Patrick
Where are the APPG MP’s on this?
Dear Sebastian,
I was very surprised and disappointed to read of Martin Boyd’s resignation today.
Southwark Homeowner Council approached LKP in 2017 to ask you to participate in our bi-annual Leasehold Conferences.
Martin’s response was both engaged and enthusiastic.
Martin contributed as a Speaker at 3 Conferences and then kindly agreed to act as the MC/Moderator at our October 2019 and March 2020 Conferences at which you also spoke.
His support, advice and access to his top-drawer contact book transformed our Homeowner Conferences leading them to be biggest Leasehold Conferences in London and possibly in the UK.
We will always be grateful to both Martin, yourself and LKP for this.
On a personal note, Martin’s decency, good humour, professionalism and generosity with both time, good counsel and support have been inspiring.
His many kindnesses and contributions will always be remembered.
While we fully support Martin in any action he takes, we do hope that Martin may reconsider his decision.
His departure from LKP would be a loss to all Leaseholders.
Warmest Regards
Brendan O’Brien
Southwark Homeowner Council Conference Committee.
This is shocking news. Please give him my best wishes and a massive thanks for all he has done. Belinda
From Rob Perrins, CEO, Berkeley Group
‘Seb, I read Martin has resigned. He has been as you have so courteous in our dealings over 10 years. I cannot believe the reasons. I am very saddened. Please send him my best wishes Rob’
Canada Water
This treatment of Martin by a senior civil servant, and the supportive action of that appalling treatment by MHCLG, is absolutely scandallous.
LKP has for a number of years been supporting leaseholders. Martin personally gave support to our Oxford leaseholders group at a Tribunal in London in 2013. The twin scandals of how the government has handle the aftermath of Grenfell and the totally unacceptable treatment of leaseholders by some property managements, has been clearly exposed by LKP for years.
It is clear that LKP has really riled the government in its campaigns. This whole saga gives a further clear indication of how this government works to enable rich property owners and developers to make large sums of money whilst passing on unjust costs to leaseholders.
We have sent this message to the two Oxford MPs and urge all MPS to fight for the right of LKP and its staff and members to be treated properly.
John Paine, leaseholder at Charles Ponsonby House, Oxford.