London Resident Sues Westminster Council Over Montenegro Embassy
Diana Simpson is suing Westminster City Council for damages after the conversion of a neighboring home into the embassy of Montenegro impacted her mental health.
Resident Diana Simpson is seeking judicial review and damages from Westminster City Council following the conversion of a neighboring five-bedroom family home in Pimlico into the embassy of Montenegro. Simpson, who has been diagnosed with clinical anxiety, long Covid, and a functional neurological disorder, alleges the council failed to consider the impact on her mental health when granting belated planning permission for the change of use and the installation of a flagpole.
Simpson claims the embassy's presence has caused significant distress and disrupted her sleep. She describes a need to sleep in alternative rooms to find relief from a primal fear response triggered by noises, fearing intruders from the embassy despite acknowledging the possibility is slim.
Westminster City Council has denied the allegations and is seeking a summary judgment without a hearing. The council maintains that there is no plausible interference with the claimant's home or her private and family life.
