MR Paul Murphy, a Northern Ireland minister, found himself embroiled in a long-running property dispute yesterday after earlier refusing to be a witness in a court case involving his west London neighbours and the company which owns the housing estate.
Yesterday it emerged that the minister was one of a group of residents who had agreed to accept a £3,000 incentive if the property company which owns the Chiswick Village estate wins its battle against those tenants who wish to buy their freehold from the company.
A statement issued by the Labour Party press office said Mr Murphy was now not interested in the money being offered by the property company, Leathbond, and had changed his mind about not appearing in court.
When the court case began in April, Mr Murphy first cited election commitments, then invoked parliamentary privilege to avoid attending the hearing before a judge.
But last night he said he was perfectly happy to attend court. In the statement he said: "Frankly, I don't want to have to go to court simply because of the demands it would make on my time, but I'm perfectly willing to do so if required."
Lawyers acting for the tenants said they were delighted by Mr Murphy's change of heart.
Mr Steven Phillippsohn, a solicitor, said he had intended to apply to the judge to fine Mr Murphy £1,000 if he failed to give evidence. He said a summons had been issued before the new parliament and he questioned whether parliamentary privilege would therefore apply.
Leathbond need not sell the property if more than half the tenants drop the case. Mr Phillippsohn said that, although Mr Murphy now appeared to oppose the purchase of the freehold, it only mattered what his view had been in 1994, when Leathbond bought the estate.
Ownership of the flats, each worth between £60,000 and £80,000, has been the subject of dispute for some time and the 260 tenants are split on the issue. Mr Murphy said he was quite happy with the current landlord.
Lawyers acting for Leathbond said the company did not want to comment as the case was currently before the courts.