The Westminster cemeteries scandal was a British political scandal which began in January 1987 when Westminster City Council (WCC) sold three cemeteries, three lodges, one flat, a crematorium and over 12 acres (4.9 ha) of prime development land in London for a total of 85 pence.
Shortly before the sale was finalised, one building had been withdrawn from the lot – because the council had failed to secure the eviction of a cemetery keeper – so WCC also paid the purchaser £70,000 compensation.
[6][7][8] They were unable to repurchase any of the unused land – which had been "sold on by property developers for housing at an enormous profit" – or the buildings, including the crematorium.
[9][10] When the cemeteries were eventually reacquired by WCC, part of the deal required them to award an annual maintenance contract back to a company with connections to the seller.
[11][12] Peter Bradley, the deputy Leader of the Labour Group at Westminster Council, said:"Shirley Porter will go down in history as the woman who sold three council cemeteries for five pence each and David Weeks will go down in history as the man who bought them back for £4.25 million.