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
I am deeply, saddened, perturbed and concerned that Martin Boyd
has decided to resign. He has been a tour de force and a true voice for Leaseholders, in a scandal that has deepened tragically in the last 20 years. LKP has provided essential advice and support for vulnerable Leaseholder’s who’s lives are a constant struggle against A system geared to advantage Freeholders at every corner. Lease is not fit for purpose and protects developers and Freeholders first and only. Martin has with resilience and stoicism struggled against the archaic, mausoleum like feudalistic laws which surround UK property ownership, which gives the rich an inequitable advantage over it’s underling the leaseholder. He has upheld his responsibility with integrity and energy, battling the need for transparency, fairness and to give Leaseholders a chance. The circumstances are a poor and sad reflection on the Govt. Which increasingly, heavy handedly sweeps uncomfortable opposition aside. An apology is owed, I hope a grown up in office, will ensure Martin receives the honours deserved for his enduring work to help the leasehold community. I hope Martin in time may feel ready to return. We need him.
Says it all thank you Joanne.
For the rest of us exploited and abused Leaseholders, there are dark forces at work now more than ever.
Martin Boyd please return when you feel able!
I am deeply saddened to see Martin leave, he is in an invaluable asset to LKP and I urge him to reconsider. We are engaged in the most vicious battle ourselves as leaseholders here in Lincoln with dismissive freeholders, rogue management companies and agents and we need people like Martin to remain and fight these petty minded criticals. We all have a wobble because we are all under constant attack for making change. I really do hope Martin reconsiders his position.
Leaseholders trapped in their leases like a noose around their neck, have only had good people like Martin support them, we need him back, people need to see the truth for what it is
Dear Sebastian,
I am so sorry to hear the news of Martin’s resignation and I feel for all of you in the organisation. This is a great loss to us all and a terrible waste of talent and humanity.
The meeting you describe and the behaviour of the civil servants too does not surprise me, I am very sad to say. I remember sending you a note last year to describe my own experiences. The civil service has been hollowed out – though to be accurate, the SCS rolled over and let it happen and it has exposed that there is nothing in place to describe or protect citizen’s rights in this country..
There is an all-out war being played out in Whitehall against not only values of integrity, professionalism, experience and decency but against any form of democratic accountability. We are being colonised by our own ruling elite, their retainers and placement and women.
Despite what people think, this is not a new coup. It’s been warming up for decades and got into its stride between 2010 – 2014.
Keep your spirits up and best wishes to all. Things will change.
Regards,
NAME SUPPLIED
Actions speak louder than words.
The fact that after 20 months Ms Goldwag has still failed to issue a simple formal apology, despite being required to do so, speaks volumes. What sort of an example is she sending to her hard-working teams and the leaseholders that she is employed to serve?
Conversely, it is interesting to note that the people who sit at the heart of the leasehold debate in Parliament, who truly represent the interests of leaseholders, are all unpaid volunteers.
Martin Boyd is one of these volunteers. He has organised meetings with cladding leaseholders and Ministers. He has supported leaseholders through forfeiture tribunal hearings. He represents leaseholders as the Secretariat of the APPG. He represented leaseholders at the Select Committee hearings. The list goes on… However, where is Ms Goldwag in this picture?
What Martin has achieved for and on behalf of leaseholders speaks for itself.
I am sorry that the inappropriate behaviour of one person has caused you to reconsider your position, but you are needed, now more than ever – the broken system of leasehold is now undeniable. I hope that you can find it within yourself to rise above the (in)actions of this person and reverse your decision. Many leaseholders stand with you to support you and your hard work through to its final conclusion – that of the (re)introduction of Commonhold and the subsequent abolition of leasehold in all its forms.
I hope the Parliamentary & Health Service Ombudsman finally gives you the answer you deserve so that this chapter can be closed and you can get back to doing what you do best. We can and we will create a fair system of true property ownership in England and Wales, but we need you with us.
It appears that corruption and gross injustice seems to be a massive part in all sections of the residential property market. It is an absolute national disgrace and scandal that investors are lurking and leeching around to basically rob hard working people. It appears nepertism, old boys networking, immoral and bad pad practice is rife and very present todays society. Shame on all those involved in such greed and extortion that is blighting the lives of millions in the UK. The laws must be changed to prevent such a legal imbalance. We need Martin Boyd who is incredibly knowledgeable on leasehold matters to remain a prominent figure in the fight for justice. This countrywide situation should never have escalated to such a level where we see such a percentage of houses now blocked off from the market. This cannot be hidden there are now too many on the case. I am in support of Martin Boyd and appalled to hear about the events leading up to his resignation. It is clearly not him that should be leaving.
This highly paid person Wanda Goldwag, has done a diabolical assassination on someone that was giving the free time expertise to help people.
Have her puppet masters told her to upset Martin force out ?
There’s more to this than meets the eye
I am saddened that’s a champion of enslaved people, leaseholders, as been treated badly by someone that hasn’t got a charitable concession for people fighting for fairness.
Very well said Norma
Why doesn’t someone ask whether there has been bullying at the Leasehold Advisory Service with a complaint to MHCLG?
Or why the ex-chief operating officer COO Justin Kenny walked after less than a year in the job?
Very sad to read of Martin Boyd’s resignation. Our RTM only came about because of LKP support.
So much still to do, and I hope this matter can be resolved to his satisfaction. We used Lease once for advice, I knew more than the advisor.
Recently had a phone chat that was more helpful, perhaps they are improving, which is much needed.
Leaseholders need you Martin, I hopeMP’s will help to change this situation.
As Wanda is the chair of FCA consumer panel, working on behalf of CONSUMERS. It astounds me that it appears she is attacking the LKP and Martin Boyd.
Its a disgrace that she has not been brought to account over her abuse of position.
Really sorry to hear that Martin has felt that the only decision he could make was to resign. Hopefully he will reconsider.
Why is it that the LKP charity are the ones helping leaseholders and the government funded MHCLG who do nothing to fight leasehold injustice are allowed to sabotage this great charity. Stop wasting tax payers money on MHCLG and fund LKP instead.
I am appalled by the disgusting way that Martin has been treated after all he has done. I have followed his selfless efforts over many years on behalf of leaseholders in an unfair system against the ruthless acts of elite rich property tycoons and management, often off shore. I find his treatment here and the behaviour of this woman totally unacceptable and insulting, not just to Martin but to us all and to the superb MPs Sir Peter and Justin Madders. She is in a public position and at the very least owes everyone an apology , but should resign or be removed from her position immediately. She is unfit for office.
Disgusting behaviour from Wanda towards Martin Boyd who has so much integrity. If she thinks leaseholders are going to to accept her scandalous behaviour she is so wrong. Their is a huge army behind Martin Boyd. Wanda you are saying your staff are crying because of Martin Boyd’s actions well thousands more leaseholders are crying due to Martin’s departure. Wanda you need to resign immediately.
Please don’t go. Martin Boyd you’ve done so much for us leaseholders at a time when we are simply being ignored. You’ve been poorly treated and shouldn’t be the one to leave. Wanda this has been shoddy and disgustingly managed. You need to resign immediately.
Thank you Martin Boyd for all the hard work you have put in to improve the lot of Leaseholders It must be one of the most difficult issues to make any progress on, but you have managed to make some.
It will be a great loss to us all if you do not continue to campaign on our behalf.
Many Housing Ministers and LEASE Chairs have come and gone whilst contributing very little. .
You have stuck at it for ten years, I know how frustrating it must have been been.
It’s time LEASE helped those who really need it, primary the Leaseholders.
If Wanda still supports the imposition of ground rents then she obviously must be in the wrong job.
Sorry to see a good, knowledgeable and incorruptible man having to go.
Martin Boyd is one of those rare people in the public sphere who work for the good of leaseholders enslaved by the undemocratic practices of both freeholders and their side-kick management companies. In 21st century Britain, the likes of Martin have been taking on the medieval practices of residential overlords who milk the common leaseholder for all they are worth and more! I’d encourage Martin that all empires built on greed and unfair practices eventually fall and that he is greatly needed in the fight to keep this at the top end of Government agenda for reform. Being viciously attacked by someone supposedly helping leaseholders (one who is generously paid) is a travesty. Martin, know that there are thousands of British leaseholders behind you, and that you are still needed in this battle against the housing demigods of mammon. Hoping for your swift return despite the terrible treatment that you have suffered.
I attended a number of meetings of leaseholders from a group of London Residents’ Associations of premium developments with subprime landlords a few years ago. Martin attended most of the meetings and was generous with his time and his knowledge.
His approach struck a chord with me. Whereas most of those attending were content to get the hands of thieves out of their pockets (e.g., corrupt landlords who helped themselves to reserves to pay the bills of service charge defaulters), Martin was clearly interested in the common good and in reform, or better, abolition, of leasehold tenure. I was delighted to see him join LKP and have fully supported his efforts (our own development’s first requirement of any managing agent is LKP accreditation).
I know that his work has been tireless and hugely consequential for many. He deserves public recognition not the shabby, contemptible treatment he has received.
LKP have been beacons of light for me and so many others who found themselves in the darkness of the leasehold depths – to lose one of their team because of such actions is disgraceful. The knowledge that Martin and many others are working so hard to improve matters for leaseholders is giving me hope for long overdue improvement to the social structure in this country, but this is a severe blow. LKP’s constructive work for the ultimate good of all should be welcomed, certainly not treated in this dreadful way.
This is totally out of order. I was going to say the lady (but I realise, no lady would speak or act as this person did) but now I say Ms. Goldwag is doing exactly what she is accusing Martin Boyd of doing – bullying. Martin Boyd has done sterling work over the years and helped many, many leaseholders. As a resident in a managed Retirement block of flats, with many problems over the lease, we have been grateful that some of his stature and knowledge was there to help. I would like to call upon MPs, and everyone who has been helped by this man, to rally round now and support him. Thank you Mr Boyd for everything you have done and tried to do. If Ms. Goldwag’s name ever comes up again in any capacity, we will know not to trust that organisation. Thank you Mr. Boyd.
K. leasehold resident.
Foul mouthed bullies like Goldwag must not win! Thank you Martin Boyd for giving leaseholders hope in a system that is stacked against them. Hopefully you will recharge your batteries and feel you can return to the fray one day. Too many people are driven by the desire for power, money or both and too few are willing selflessly to help others. Leaseholders have been very lucky to have you fighting for them for so long. Thank you.
What a dreadful state of affairs. Martin has been such an amazing and committed advocate for us, who have had no voice for so long in regard to leasehold issues. I am deeply saddened by the appalling behaviour of Lease and Ms Goldwag and Martin’s subsequent decision to resign. I imagine he is incredibly tenacious and must have felt pushed beyond his limits to take this action. It’s incredibly unjust and unfair.
Thanks you for all you hard work Martin.