33 Portland Place Edward Davenport (fraudster)

33 portland place

in 1996, davenport introduced professor cyril foray, former foreign minister , high commissioner of sierra leone, during country s civil war. davenport entered negotiations government of sierra leone in order refurbish london embassy, 33 portland place, built in 1775 robert adam , valued @ £5 million. acquired lease on building £50,000 claimed property private residence. government of sierra leone took legal action against davenport in london in 1999, case settled no clear victor. british government offered purchase new building sierra leonean high commission, leaving davenport remainder of lease. in 2005 nevis-based company, portland place (historic house) ltd, acquired freehold of building £3.75 million. uk company, identical name, portland place (historic house) ltd, registered @ 33 portland place assets , turnover listed nil.

the property regularly hired out tango , pole-dancing lessons , parties, leading many complaints neighbours. in 2005, sunday mirror reported orgies being held @ davenport s mansion. political strategist conservative party accused of being present sunday mirror although party later denied presence. in july 2006 westminster city council issued enforcement order directing davenport cease using property commercial , non-residential purposes ignored , unauthorised use continued.

davenport has hired out building high-profile events, including exhibitions, films , photography shoots figures such kate moss, johnny depp , helena bonham carter. visual arts used frieze art fair exhibition titled vanitas: transience of earthly pleasures in 2010 , singer amy winehouse used shoot video hit song rehab. in april 2010, house doubled lionel logue s clinic in oscar-winning film king s speech starring colin firth. davenport living there during part of filming; 1 scene filmed in bedroom. number of porn films reportedly shot there.

in july 2010, following party @ 33 portland place, westminster city council brought legal action against davenport charging him breaching noise abatement order. case dismissed judge purdy @ westminster city magistrates court, , davenport awarded £28,000 in costs. later month westminster city council brought action @ high court charging davenport s use of property breached planning permission. council reported davenport had filled small pool 1,000 litres of cognac. davenport found have breached 2006 enforcement notice , high court judge issued permanent ban on use of house non-residential purposes. in april 2011 davenport lost appeal against injunction.