A single mother who is being evicted by a Tory MP claimed their friendship was wrecked by his party’s stance over Covid-19

Layla Williams had been employed by Tory MP Gary Streeter to look after his horses at his farm in Plympton, Devon. 

Ms Williams, 38, moved into a bungalow on the politician’s farm in 2018, but their amicable relationship deteriorated over the course of the pandemic. 

Yesterday, CCTV footage emerged of the MP, who has been in parliament since 1992, ripping down cameras from outside Ms Williams’ home. 

The mother-of-one – who admits she hasn’t paid rent on the property since January – claims that since he asked her and her 12-year-old son to move out, his actions has left them both in fear.

She had already installed security cameras at her home on the farm in Plympton, Devon, and has now captured footage of him ‘angrily’ ripping them down.

Layla Williams

Gary Streeter seen on CCTV tearing a camera off a bungalow currently occupied by tenant Ms Williams

Gary Streeter seen on CCTV (right) tearing a camera off a bungalow currently occupied by tenant Layla Williams (left) who is behind on her rent

Speaking to MailOnline, Ms Williams said she initially began working for the MP in 2016, looking after his family’s horses and mucking out the stables. 

She said: ‘Things were fine to start off with and we had a good relationship. I did not see them loads as they were away a lot but when I did it was ok and there were no problems.

‘It was not until covid hit that we started having problems.’

Ms Williams said at the beginning of 2020 she had ‘different opinions’ about the Tory government response to the pandemic – and claims she fell out with Streeter as a result.

She added: ‘He said “we can’t have you here” if you are against what we think. He said he wanted me out within two months.

‘He sent me a letter saying he did not want me working there anymore. He didn’t want anyone there with a different opinion.’

Ms Williams said she threatened him with unfair dismissal claim but ended up with a £1500 redundancy claim to get around that and continued living at the property.

She added: ‘Since then every time I have complained about anything on the property or anything that was broken – he has threatened to kick me out. He was doing it all the time.’

Ms Williams said she reported the MP for South West Devon to police using an online form to report the alleged criminal damage and harassment. She said she is awaiting a response. 

Other videos she has recorded include him attempting to bash the cameras with a stick and returning in what she said was a ‘panic’ to try and fix it after dumping in the bushes.

Footage also shows Mr Streeter letting himself in through her gate – and looking in through the windows – including while Layla said she and her son were sleeping.

Mr Streeter has secured a Section 8 eviction notice against Layla at Plymouth County Court and said he would get the bailiffs round to remove her if she didn’t leave soon.

He denied any form of harassment and said he had ‘tried to show her kindness’ but secured the order on the basis she had not paid rent since January.

But Ms Williams said she had stopped paying rent on advice after claiming necessary repairs weren’t being carried out – and evidenced a Section 21 ‘no fault eviction’ notice that was initially served as proof of his initial intentions.

Ms Williams, who has now found a new property, said she did not fight the order and would comply with it and move out soon.

But she said she wanted to speak out about her treatment as she became concerned about his behaviour.

She added: ‘It has become very unsettling.

Other videos she has recorded include him attempting to bash the cameras with a stick

Other videos she has recorded include him attempting to bash the cameras with a stick

Mr Streeter has secured a Section 8 eviction notice against Layla at Plymouth County Court and said he would get the bailiffs round to remove her if she didn't leave soon

Mr Streeter has secured a Section 8 eviction notice against Layla at Plymouth County Court and said he would get the bailiffs round to remove her if she didn’t leave soon

‘I’ve caught him on CCTV ripping my camera off the wall, trying to get through a gate that I’ve now had to padlock and staring through my windows.

‘The only conclusion I can draw is that he was trying to intimidate me. He has wanted me out for a long time.

‘He’s initially served me with a ‘no fault’ eviction notice so this shows this was motivated by pure and utter greed to make more money.

‘I will comply with the court order and leave without a fight.

‘But I have had every right to be here and live without feeling harassed. It’s been our home for many years.’

Ms Williams said she had three cameras put up, but he only seemed to be aware of one.

She added: ‘I literally watched him tear one down – dump it in the bushes and peer through the window.

‘This is surely no way for a MP to behave. He’s been totally out of control..’

Mr Streeter has been a Conservative MP for South West Devon since 1997, previously holding the nearby seat of Plymouth Sutton between 1992 and 1997.

Ms Williams, who has lived in the area around Plympton her whole life, said: ‘It’s been frightening at times – thinking about him staring in through my window – when I could be in bed.’

Ms Williams said she started working for ,Mr Streeter in the beginning of 2016 looking after their horses and mucking out.

She would also house-sit and look after their dogs when they were away.

Footage also shows Mr Streeter letting himself in through her gate - and looking in through the windows - including while Layla said she and her son were sleeping

Footage also shows Mr Streeter letting himself in through her gate – and looking in through the windows – including while Layla said she and her son were sleeping

Layla said she had only withheld the rent since January after taking advice, due to the lack of work and necessary repairs at the property

Layla said she had only withheld the rent since January after taking advice, due to the lack of work and necessary repairs at the property

Layla Williams' CCTV camera that Tory MP Gary Streeter pulled off her house

Layla Williams’ CCTV camera that Tory MP Gary Streeter pulled off her house

Ms Williams also has a CCTV camera on the inside of her property

Ms Williams also has a CCTV camera on the inside of her property

The MP said: ‘The tenant was served with a section 8 notice because she has paid no rent since January 2023.

‘For the past two years, to help her, we have accepted a lower rent of £550 pm for a two-bedroom bungalow in the South Hams, rather than £700 as per the tenancy agreement.

‘There has been no harassment at any time, just a great deal of patient kindness.

‘On 19th September 2023 Plymouth County Court granted an order for possession within 14 days, plus judgment for the £4,400 arrears plus costs.

‘The bailiffs will be instructed as she has still not vacated.

‘I will not be making any further public comment.’

Ms Williams said she was now ‘in the process’ of moving out and had found alternative premises.

Devon and Cornwall Police said it was not able to comment on any of the allegations.

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