Hounslow housing chief failed to declare property company directorship

Councillor Sue Sampson failed to declare her directorship of a property company, Cestrensis Limited, in her official Register of Interests. The Hounslow Council cabinet member for housing only registered the interest after the omission was identified and raised with her.

Liberal Democrat councillor Roger Crouch has called for council leader Shantanu Rajawat to remove Sampson from the cabinet pending an investigation. The councillor, also known by her legal name Susan Lockyer, was appointed a director of Cestrensis Limited on 15 September 2025, the same month the company was incorporated. She owns between 25 and 49 percent of its shares.

Sampson stated she did not initially declare the position because she believed it was unnecessary. "I am a director and shareholder of Cestrensis Limited, where I am registered as Susan Lockyer," she said. She has since registered the directorship as an Other Registrable Interest.

Council rules and the nature of the company

Hounslow Council's constitution explicitly requires councillors to declare unpaid directorships as registrable interests. Cestrensis Limited was set up to buy, sell, and lease residential property but has never traded, operated, or received any income.

This case follows a similar incident involving former Hounslow Labour councillor Farhaan Rehman, who failed to declare three unpaid directorships in October 2025. An investigating officer concluded in April 2026 that Rehman should have declared those interests, a violation of the council’s constitution.

Conservative group leader Jack Emsley described Sampson's case as evidence of a Labour administration 'falling apart at the seams'. Council leader Shantanu Rajawat defended Sampson, calling the omission an 'honest mistake'.

Responses and actions taken

Councillor Sue Sampson stated the company has never been active, never traded, and provided her with no financial benefit. She sought guidance from the Monitoring Officer to ensure compliance and has updated her register.

Council leader Shantanu Rajawat confirmed Sampson made an honest mistake and has taken appropriate steps. He said she sought advice from the monitoring officer and updated her register.

Wider political context

The revelation comes amid significant political instability for Hounslow's Labour group. The party lost majority control of the council following the arrest and suspension of Councillor Gurbachan Athwal, who denies any wrongdoing. Opposition figures cite Sampson's undeclared interest as further evidence of internal dysfunction.

Councillor Sue Sampson has now registered her directorship in Cestrensis Limited as an Other Registrable Interest following guidance from the Monitoring Officer.