Residents challenge MOD’s Olympic missile plans

Published by 24publishing for 24dash.com in Housing and also in Communities

MOD plans to install missiles on a London housing block’s roof for the duration of the Olympics may be scuppered by residents.

Tenants of the Fred Wigg Tower in Leytonstone are beginning legal action against the plans, and have enlisted the services of Howe & Co Solicitors.

The missile deployment is designed to guard the upcoming Olympics against terrorist attacks, with the Fred Wigg Tower being one of six proposed sites.

Howe & Co has filed Judicial Review legal proceedings in the High Court in London challenging MOD plans to station Ground Based Air Defence (GBAD) missile weapon systems on the roof of the tower, which is a local residential block containing 117 flats.

The challenge is made on the grounds that the residents were not consulted at all about the plans to place explosive missiles on the roof of their home; that no assessment has been carried out under the Equality Act to comply with the MOD’s Public Sector Equality Duty; and that the siting of missiles above the heads of the residents is a breach of their human rights and in particular their right to family life under Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR)and their right to peaceful enjoyment of their homes under Article 1 of Protocol 1 of the ECHR.

Martin Howe, Senior Partner at Howe & Co, said: “It is incredible that the MOD think it acceptable to present women, children and men living in a block of flats in a densely populated residential area of East London with the fait accompli of having a live high explosive missile salvo above their heads whilst they go about their daily chores and whilst they sleep at night.

“Security of the Olympics is of course extremely important but could the MOD not find any other way of protecting the Olympic village than by putting the lives of hundreds of innocent council tenants at risk by turning their homes into a military battlefield position?  

“The risk of accidental explosion or indeed incoming terrorist attack on the block of flats is now a real issue. 

“Who on earth had heard of Fred Wigg Tower before the MOD brought it to the attention of the world by announcing its intention to station a missile battery on top of the block? There has been zero consultation with the tenants. 

“There has been no regard for their legitimate concerns and worries.  There has been no consideration of the needs of disabled people living in the block.

“There has been no offer of alternative accommodation during the  Olympics and Para Olympics. The Olympics should be a time of national celebration and pride not fear and worry. 

“Watching the Games on TV terrified that a powerful rocket missile may be launched above your head at any moment is not the way to enjoy the Games!  The MOD has had 7 years to work out its security plans and it needs to rethink this issue swiftly.”