Local council tells paralysed man he must ‘blink’ before he can end £350-per-month tenancy

A local council has sparked outrage after asking a paralysed man to “blink” before he can end his £350-per-month tenancy.

Peter Badger, 64, was required to provide direct confirmation of his intention to terminate the tenancy.

Badger’s daughters attempted to close the agreement but it was not accepted by Southampton City Council.

Amber Badger, 32, said: “I get that’s the law and they needed to hear it from him, but he can’t speak.

“There was no sensitivity. Thankfully the care home said no straight away.”

The 64-year-old, who moved into a nursing home in July, suffered his first aneurysm on October 9 last year after experiencing severe headaches and vomiting while watching Peter Kay at Wembley.

A second aneurysm followed on October 19 led to paralysis on his right side and breathing difficulties.

Badger’s condition deteriorated further, resulting in full paralysis from the neck down by the end of October.

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Amber and 40-year-old older sister Lara contacted Southampton City Council to sort the tenancy.

Lara was told that her father needed to “blink” to end the tenancy.

However, Peter later agreed to the test as he “just wanted it over and done with”.

The “blink test” was never actually carried out as the council confirmed the end of tenancy following complaints from the family.

Amber said: “They haven’t treated Dad or us like humans and it’s made an incredibly traumatic situation so much worse.”

A spokesperson for Southampton City Council said: “Southampton City Council was first made aware Mr Badger was not living in [the flat] in July and had moved into a care home and wanted to end his tenancy.

“We apologise for the delay in reviewing this request and we will be reviewing our procedures.

“We will work with Mr Badger and his family to move the situation forward and apologise for any distress caused.”