British diplomats are embroiled in a row between a Hyde Park landlord and the Romanian government over a £75,000 unpaid rent bill.
Romania has refused to pay the outstanding sum on a former ambassadorial residence despite a High Court order in December.
Officials insist that they are not liable for the last six months of the lease on the £12,000-a-month tenancy due to a “gentleman’s agreement”. Christos said that this was based on him being able to find another tenant for the five-bedroom property, which he bought in 2007 for £2.8m, but he had been unable to do so.
Romania rented the 18 Hyde Park Street property from Christopher Christos between April 2008 and April 2019. Last year it was ordered by the court to pay £73.270 in arrears after the Foreign and Commonwealth Office intervened on behalf of the owner.
