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- Feb 11, 2007
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DRC diplomats homeless in London
BBC News Online
Belongings have been stacked near
the visa collection point
Congolese diplomatic staff have taken refuge at the Democratic Republic of Congo's embassy in London after the electricity to staff housing was cut.
A member of the mission told the BBC that the power supply was interrupted because the bill had not been paid.
The BBC's Jonny Hogg says those taking refuge, including three families, are upset at a lack of management.
Electricity bills and even salaries have not been paid on a regular basis, he was told.
It appears that those in charge of finances for the embassy have not been coming through with the money, he says.
Staff are storing their belongings including fridges and televisions in the embassy building's reception, near the visa collection point.
At least 15 people moved out of their homes on Thursday after the power cut.
The ambassador is currently in the DR Congo's capital, Kinshasa, and said the problems of mismanagement dated to before her appointment.
She said she was trying to resolve the problem with the government, and that she hopes to return to the UK soon.
A member of staff had said earlier that no-one was authorised to pay the electricity bill in the ambassador's absence.
BBC News Online
Belongings have been stacked near
the visa collection point
Congolese diplomatic staff have taken refuge at the Democratic Republic of Congo's embassy in London after the electricity to staff housing was cut.
A member of the mission told the BBC that the power supply was interrupted because the bill had not been paid.
The BBC's Jonny Hogg says those taking refuge, including three families, are upset at a lack of management.
Electricity bills and even salaries have not been paid on a regular basis, he was told.
It appears that those in charge of finances for the embassy have not been coming through with the money, he says.
Staff are storing their belongings including fridges and televisions in the embassy building's reception, near the visa collection point.
At least 15 people moved out of their homes on Thursday after the power cut.
The ambassador is currently in the DR Congo's capital, Kinshasa, and said the problems of mismanagement dated to before her appointment.
She said she was trying to resolve the problem with the government, and that she hopes to return to the UK soon.
A member of staff had said earlier that no-one was authorised to pay the electricity bill in the ambassador's absence.