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A group of bedroom tax campaigners in Coventry have successfully stopped a vulnerable man being evicted from his home after he struggled to keep up with his rent.

Campaigners from Coventry Against the Bedroom Tax were able to prevent bailiffs from evicting Archie Millar from his home in St Margaret Road, Stoke, yesterday after he fell into rent arrears.

Mr Millar, who receives £72 in benefits per week, was unable to keep up with his rent payments since nearly a third of his benefits each week would go towards paying the bedroom tax.

He lives in the family home he used to share with his mother, who died some years ago, but was hit by the bedroom tax when it was brought in because her death had meant there were two spare bedrooms in the property.

It meant that each week Mr Millar was left with just £45 to pay for his rent and feed himself and his dog.

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According to John Boadle, the campaign’s organiser, Mr Millar had tried to move to a smaller property – but was caught up in a vicious circle when the rent arrears meant he was unable to do so.

Mr Boadle said a 30-strong protest had sprung up outside Mr Millar’s house.

He said: “We suddenly got a call from a chap about to be evicted. He’d left it to the last minute to try and avoid the situation.

“It’s the first time it’s ever come to an eviction.

“We would be there peacefully to prevent the eviction being accomplished.

“The police were called but they won’t get involved unless there is the threat of violence or disorder.

“We had a one hour stand off.

“There were phone calls between a Whitefriars agent and their head office.

“There was also some intervention from Dave Nellist – triple combination of a large protest, the media and negotiations.”

The possession order issued by the court against Mr Millar has now been suspended for about two months.

Mr Boadle said: “We will look what has happened with Whitefriars and sort out the situation.

“It’s not totally in the bag, but he will be okay for a few months."

He added: “We’re delighted with the outcome.

“The poor bloke was in a state of shock.

“When he got up (on Monday) he didn’t know if he would have a place to lay his head down that night.”