Islington Homes for All protesting outside the properties in Wellington Mews [Debbie Humphry]

ACTIVISTS are outraged at the decision by the Ministry of Justice to sell 28 flats after leaving them empty for six years.

The properties in Wellington Mews could have helped the chronic housing crisis after staff from the nearby Penton­ville Prison moved out.

Protesters have staged a series of demonstra­tions outside and had planned to return with their banners on Sunday.

But on Wednesday it emerged that the Ministry of Justice had agreed a deal to sell the three- and four-bedroom homes. A spokesperson told the Tribune that “follow­ing the marketing of the flats in February and March this year, a sale has now been agreed and is progressing”.

The MoJ has refused to give details of the purchaser, or any terms attached to the sale.

Housing campaigners have always said the flats should be used for social rent homes.

“I feel very angry,” said Morag Gillie from Islington Homes for All, which has been campaigning for the flats to be handed over to the council and leased as 100 per cent social rent.

“Myself and [council housing chief] Una O’Halloran signed a joint letter asking to have some communication with the MoJ given that there is a new government.”

She added: “I’m really concerned that this is something that has been agreed on earlier in the year. I’d be really concerned and upset if the councillors know about this and haven’t told us.

“After all the work, I’m frustrated that this is going ahead without Islington Homes for All being involved, but also without the local community that has been campaigning with us being consulted.”

Labour councillors had previously stressed the need for the properties to be handed over, given the scale of the housing crisis in Islington where more than 16,000 people are currently waiting for social housing.

Last year, deputy council leader Councillor Diarmaid Ward told the Tribune: “We’re in the middle of the worst-ever housing crisis and we’ve got three- and four-bed flats there, which would be ideal for the families of Islington.”

In 2021 private developers had tried to purchase the flats but the sale had fallen through after they refused the council’s demand that 50 per cent of the homes be leased at a “genuinely affordable” rent.

Following that, in May last year, Ms Gillie and Cllr Ward, then housing chief, were told by the the MoJ: “If, following consideration of the options, a decision is made to dispose of the property, they [MoJ officials] will be in contact to advise you.”

Cllr O’Halloran, said: “It is scandalous that homes that are desperately needed to tackle the borough’s housing crisis were left vacant for so long under the previous government.

“We have been told that the Ministry of Justice is in the process of selling the site and is in advanced negotiations with a potential purchaser.”

She added: “Throughout this process, the council has strongly and consistently reminded the Ministry of Justice, their property advisors, and the potential purchaser that any future use of the site must fully comply with the council’s planning policies.

“These policies require that at least half the homes delivered on ex-public sector land must be genuinely affordable.”