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Fergus Wilson defends 'no coloureds' letting policy

By: KentOnline reporter multimediadesk@thekmgroup.co.uk

Published: 07:00, 29 March 2017

Controversial landlord Fergus Wilson has insisted his ban on 'coloureds' renting his properties is no different to his bar on smokers and dog walkers.

Speaking exclusively to KentOnline, the millionaire property owner was speaking as the furore grew over his "no coloureds" policy.

Mr Wilson sparked outrage yesterday when details of his policy were leaked, revealing he had banned 'coloured people' because of the cost of removing the smell of curry at the end of their tenancy.

Fergus and Judith Wilson

The Equality and Human Rights Commission says it will take action against Mr Wilson, of Boughton Monchelsea, who has also banned battered wives and single mothers from renting his properties.

Police said they were also looking into whether offences had been committed.

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The landlord told KentOnline that his stance was a matter of economics. He is in discussions about television appearances to discuss his policy, including Good Morning Britain.

Mr Wilson, who emailed a series of pictures including one of himself with former Kent police chief constable Mike Fuller, added: "It has transpired a disgruntled employee has decided to feed to the media details of a confidential email to Evolution Lettings where I stated I wanted no coloured tenants due to the problems we had experienced with curry smells.

Video: Fergus Wilson speaks out amid the furore of his 'no coloureds' policy

"Why the employee was disgruntled I am not privileged to. Clearly he was most upset about something!

"There has been much support for the stance I have taken. I do not apologise for it. Faced with the same circumstances I would do it again.

"I am not racist and my beef is with curry not with the colour of someone’s skin. I have merely taken an economic decision.

"It is the same with dog owners and smokers. I do not feel able to take them."

Mr WIlson with former Kent Police Chief Constable Mike Fuller

Evolution, which manages hundreds of the former boxer's properties, condemned the policy and said it would never implement it.

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Roy Fever, manager at Evolution, said: “We don’t condone this at all.

“We would never implement a policy like that. We put through anyone to the landlord and it is up to the landlord who they take on.”

Mr Wilson, who is worth £100million, issued a directive in January banning tenants with children under 18, single adults, battered wives, tenants without a rent guarantee, people on housing benefit, low income workers, zero hours workers, plumbers, smokers and pet owners.

Kent Police confirmed they are aware of this issue, and will be working to establish if any offences have taken place.

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