The British Minister for Europe Chris Bryant met four of the 'Albox 8' home-owners today in Albox, a fact which has now made the national Spanish press. An article in today's El Mundo is rather better and more balanced than the effort from yesterday's provincial El Almería (see below).
The article explains that many British families (it suggests eight thousand) bought homes in the Almanzora Valley for an average 200,000 euros in the 2002 - 2003 period 'in good faith' only to afterwards find them to be (in one way or another) 'illegal'. This has caused a stir in the UK and the British ambassador has now asked for an audience with the President of Andalucía, José Antonio Griñán, to explain the behaviour of that authority.

Later: (AUAN Press Release): Representatives of the AUAN were very pleased to be invited to attend a private meeting between Chris Bryant, Minister for Europe, and four of the Albox families threatened with the demolition of their homes.
Also present at the meeting, were Giles Paxman, the British Ambassador, and Steve Jones, the British Consul. Mr Bryant, who was well informed on this subject, reassured the affected families that the British Government were both aware of and concerned about the situation in the area. He went on to say that, though the UK has no jurisdiction in the affairs of Spain, he would do everything in his power to help. He also referred to the detrimental economic impact this scandal has had on Spain.
Homeowners told him of the stress and legal expense they are suffering as a result of the demolition threat, despite having purchased their homes in good faith and being in possession of all the correct licences. They stressed to the minister that a quick and equitable solution was required to this problem. Maura Hillen (AUAN President) raised the disgraceful track record of the administration with respect to the payment of compensation to Helen and Len Prior and the difficulties surrounding the ‘one by one’ solution currently proposed by the Junta.
After speaking with the homeowners, the Minister went on to have a closed meeting with the Mayor of Albox, Jose Garcia. Before leaving, he spoke of a planned meeting with Juan Espadas, the Planning Minister of the Junta de Andalucia.

Mr Bryant's visit to Albox is covered in the El Almería newspaper withEl ministro británico pide más diálogo. the Minister says in a speech at one point 'if Spain wants to grow economically, with the crisis as things are, then the country needs to change this situation'. It's a good article.