THE MP for Finchley and Golders Green has condemned squatters who have taken over a home owned by the Gaddafi family in Hampstead Garden Suburb.

A group calling themselves Topple the Tyrants took over the £11m mansion in Winnington Close, off exclusive Winnington Road, last Wednesday.

Several Libyan nationals have since joined the commune and say they plan to occupy the house, which was frozen as an asset of the Libyan leader’s family in February, until it is returned to the Libyan people.

However, Tory Mike Freer condemned the move by the squatters, saying: “They are fortunate in this country in ways they may not be able to in Libya.

“At the moment they’re not acting illegally but I do think it’s unfair on the neighbours to have to worry about the house being occupied.

“I understand the political point they’re making but they need to let the UK Government deal with the situation. I’m not sure occupying a house in the Garden Suburb is going to bring any more pressure on the Gaddafi’s.

“I hope they will leave the house quickly. As I understand it the house is owned by an offshore company controlled by the Gaddafi’s. Under UK law it’s up to them to bring about proceedings to have them evicted.”

Mr Freer said he and two other MPs had sought a meeting with ministers on the issue of squatting and had been told it could be made a criminal instead of a civil matter, under proposed legislation.

He added: “In my view squatting should be like breaking and entering. If you’re inside someone’s property without permission you should be arrested.”