The bent council in the city of Brighton and Hove excels in all manner of unlawful conduct. It fails to abide by most of the legal process irrespective of the matter in hand. It prefers to behave in a manner more associated with gangsters such as The Krays, than a public body accountable in law.

There is a close link between councillors and council staff and shady outfits as The Common Purpose. The, there is a significant membership of The Freemasons amongst all council officials. Council business transacted with a Nod, a Wink and a Shake of the Hand.

One aspect that does not appear to have been investigated in relation to council activities is that of a link to one of the worst slum, racketeer landlords in existence, the psycho, sicko, Nicholas Hoogstraten.

It is a fact that Hoogstraten owns thousands of properties in Brighton and Hove. These range from blocks of flats to decaying Victorian Mansions containing numerous grotty bedsits. In addition, he owns hotels, pubs and clubs, often in names of nominees. Further facts are that he frequently undertakes illegal evictions of his tenants. These are accompanied by extreme violence in most cases. Sometimes tenants are evicted for rent arrears, other reasons can be that he wants to develop the site where the property stands. Anyone who stands in his way is likely to be subjected to violence.

When someone is evicted illegally, the council has powers to prosecute the landlord under The Protection of Harassment Act. It is a criminal offence. It is claimed that, despite thousands of illegal evictions, going back decades, Hoogstraten has never been prosecuted by Brighton and Hove City Council. His acts of violence do not seem to attract the attention of Sussex Police either.

Apart from those thrown out into the street, along with their possessions, another common occurence is for his tenants is to be subjected to an obscene level of harassment by him, or more commonly, his paid thugs. Horrendous levels of violence are used here too. Again, the council has a duty to protect people from these unalwful activities. It is further claimed that the council turns a blind eye (or perhaps both eyes with the Freemasons blindfold) to all such criminal acts by Hoogstraten.

Many of Hoogstraten's properties are Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) they need to be licensed by the council. Most of these are in a very poor state- the slums of the 21st century. How does he obtain licenses for these from the council? Do they pursue him if he fails to obtain licenses as required by law? Evidence suggests not.

These properties are supposed to meet fire regulations, to have fire exits and escapes. It is known that Hoogstraten frequently fails to comply with fire regulations. This has resulted in the deaths of people in the past. In 1999 five people died when there was a fire in one of his flats in Palmeira Ave, Hove. The property did not meet fire regulations, people were trapped in a third floor flat with no means of escape. How is it that Brighton and Hove City Council do not enforce compliance of fire regulations for Hoogstraten's properties? The failures of the council to take enforcement action makes them responsible for these deaths as well as Hoogstraten.

At a time when Brighton and Hove City Council has announced a crackdown on owners of unsightly, decaying and dilapidated properties, why does Hoogstraten escape their attention as far as very many of his slums are concerned? He has many rotting Victorian former mansions, being left to decay and collapse to aid redevelopment presumably. Why do the council not enforce action to improve these as they do with other people?

Hoogstraten owns The Courtlands Hotel on The Drive, Hove. This is surrounded by former grand Victorian mansions, now in states of severe decay. They are eyesores with entrances barrackaded and padlocked. Other people who own properties in better condition are receiving notices from the council and are being threatened with prosecution. Hoogstraten is able to let his properties collapse with no interference from Brighton and Hove City Council. They seem to give him their tacit support. There is speculation as to backhanders passing between the two.

Hoogstraten is in the process of demolishing 20 The Drive, Hove. It is a lovely old Victorian house with individual features. It deserved to be listed and may have been. No doubt it will be replaced by a block of flats. The council collude in the vandalism taking place and the loss of a unique house for all time.

It is known that Hoogstraten owns (often via nominees) a number of hotels in Brighton and Hove. A number of 10 hotels, or more, has been mentioned. How can such an unsavoury character and criminal be allowed to run these and put people at risk?

Hoogstraten has a lenghty criminal record, including being tried anc convicted for murder of another rival, slum, landlord. He won an appeal against this conviction on a "technicality". Cynics might say there was a little help from the Freemasons in the judiciary.

It is necessary to ask the question what does the council have to gain from their cosy relationship with this crook? What is in it for either councillors, or staff? Hoogstraten is in The Times Rich List and is estimated to be worth in excess of £100 million. Greasing palms shouldn't be a problem it appears. The there are the councillors who have property interests, whether property companys, development, or huge property holdings. Could these have a connection to Hoogstraten? He is known to put properties in names of nominees, or to transfer houses etc to people who have done him a favour. Could councillors have been rewarded for their services to him? It has been reported that certain councillors are very shy at disclosing their property holdings, could this be the reason?

Hoogstraten is the ultimate tax dodger and exponent of the Black Economy. Cash is king. He was investigated by HM Revenue and Customs, after interviews his thugs would threaten the Tax Inspectors and their families. Needless to say, no one was keen to pursue the case against him.

Hoogstraten is a very close ally of Robert Mugabe and owns thousands of acres of land in Zimbabwe. It appears he has a very close, cosy, relationship with Brighton and Hove City Council as well. This council is at least complacent in allowing Hoogstraten to flout all laws and regulations. At worst, they can be said to be complicit in Hoggstraten's criminal activities.