Eccentric property mogul Fergus Wilson has no English tenants left in Maidstone.

In fact, the controversial millionaire says he rents all his properties in the borough to Eastern Europeans.

Mr Wilson made the revelation after an article in The Guardian stated he is increasing rent at his 900 properties in Kent by a third.

The 67-year-old former professional boxer said the main demand in the county town comes from migrants who are willing to pay more and react quicker to homes becoming available.

He added he upped rent at a three-bedroom house in the town last weekend from £900 a month to £1,200.

"Saddam Hussein said 'we have no weapons of mass destruction so we cannot destroy them'. It's the same situation here" — Fergus Wilson

However, the Boughton Monchelsea resident said the reason he was increasing rent was not because tenants are willing to pay more but because of financial changes which slash the amount of tax that can be offset against mortgage repayments.

He added: "It is not that we avoid English people but that Eastern Europeans are simply quicker off the mark.

"All our properties in Maidstone are let to Eastern European tenants. They pay their rent on time and are no problem."

Despite this he says most of his tenants in Ashford, where the lion's share of his portfolio is located, are English.

Mr Wilson has had a number of issues with Maidstone Borough Council regarding his properties.

In December Mr Wilson's wife, Judith, was ordered to pay more than £3,000 in overdue council tax.

Speaking to the Kent Messenger earlier this week he criticised MBC and said it has summoned him to court a number of times in error.

Mr Wilson said he had been ordered to attend hearings after tax was not paid at vacant properties but on further investigation the authority discovered the homes were still occupied.

He said budget cuts mean the council no longer sends 'door knockers' to properties it believes are empty.

In a bizarre comparison he said: "Saddam Hussein said 'we have no weapons of mass destruction so we cannot destroy them'. It's the same situation here. We are saying 'we have tenants in these properties, come and look,' but the council doesn't do it."