Fergus Wilson
© Sky NewsFergus Wilson stands by his claim
A buy-to-let landlord who banned Indian and Pakistani tenants because he claimed they left his property smelling of curry has been told the policy is unlawful.

Fergus Wilson, 69, told his letting agencies in March not to allow his homes to be rented by "coloured people" because he said they left a "curry smell" in the homes at the end of the tenancy.

He was taken to court by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, and on Wednesday, a judge at Maidstone County Court ruled such discrimination was unlawful.

Mr Wilson was handed a three-year injunction, which means he is not allowed to stop tenants renting from him because of their race.

If he does not comply, he could face a fine or jail for contempt of court.

Regarded as one of Britain's biggest buy-to-let investors, Mr Wilson owns hundreds of properties in Kent.

The Commission's chief executive Rebecca Hilsenrath said: "We welcome this outlawing by the court of Mr Wilson's discriminatory letting policy. Our homes are fundamental to our private lives and to who we are.

"Denial of a home on the grounds of race or colour is abhorrent conduct we do not accept in today's society."

According to the Guardian, he represented himself in court on Wednesday, saying: "All the local people here agree with me. It's perfectly legal not to buy a house because you think it smells of curry.

"If you are in Luton or Bedford, maybe that won't make a difference. But in Ashford and Maidstone, 99% of the population are not from India or Pakistan.

"The problem is that if you have a £250,000 mid-terrace house, the valuation drops by £50,000 if it smells of curry."