An Independent council candidate sleeping on his office floor after being evicted claims the council did not follow proper procedures when it forced him from his home.

Joe Dyer has been living and working from his box-room office in High Road, Leyton after an eviction order was served on his council property in Stewart Road nearly seven months ago.

The former Lib Dem council candidate is campaigning as an Independent for the Cathall Ward and wants to highlight the issue of forced evictions across the borough that has affected him and 'thousands of others'.

At 8am on January 6, Mr Dyer was stitching the funeral garments for his sister when a bailiff and two council workers carrying out an eviction order, escorted him from his home of over 30 years.

The grandfather had accrued £8,000 in rent arrears starting his new business as an advocacy worker after epilepsy prevented him from working as a tailor.

Mr Dyer claims the recent deaths of both his brother and sister within 48 hours of each other, had left him ‘too distracted’ to read the eviction notice, and he left his home.

Only a month later, did he realise that the notice had not been stamped by the County Court at Bow to show it had completed the proper processes.

The 58-year-old said: “Three guys came to my door and told me to leave with only the clothes on my back.

“I would never have left my home if I had realised it hadn’t been stamped, I would still be there.

“The council had someone in my home within two weeks, which seems absurd because there were houses left empty for years on that road, which I campaigned to get filled.

“It is driving me mad living and working from the same place.

“Sometimes I just have to go for a walk to clear my head. I couldn’t go down the homeless route because the council could move me out of the borough and I need to run for office.

“I have been swept up in the social cleansing of the borough.

“They have put my back against the wall and I am going to fight it. I can’t believe I left my home, but if it is happening to me then it could be happening to thousands of others.

“People should always seek legal advice before even thinking about leaving their property.”

Waltham Forest council has been approached for comment.