Former spy claiming to be Jesus Christ squatting in National Trust property

After receiving a tip-off that there were squatters living in a National Trust property in Abinger Hammer a reporter visited the site. When she got there, she discovered the centuries-old property had become home to an ex-MI5 agent and whistleblower, proclaiming himself to be Jesus Christ

Since June 25, a group of squatters linked to the 'Rainbow' movement have moved into Hackhurst Farm in Abinger. Among those living on the site is David Shayler, a former MI5 (Security Service) officer who earned fame after being prosecuted under the Official Secrets Act for passing on secret documents to a national newspaper. More than a decade on, Mr Shayler, who also goes by the name Messiah, now believes himself to be Jesus Christ and claims that the world will end in 2012.

He said: "I have realised that I am Jesus Christ. I know in my heart that I am Christ and I am here to save humanity. I am here to show humanity the way and to show unconditional love and that includes murderers and pederasts. We should not hold grudges. We have to forgive and move forward in peace."



Part of Mr Shayler's mission to save the world includes growing crops of hemp, a plant related to cannabis. He said: "We have a plan to save the world in four months by growing hemp. It is perfectly balanced for a human being. It has more digestible protein than any other plant and is full of omega-3, -6 and -9 to help muscles grow and repair. It can also be used as a biofuel. If we all started growing this plant we could be free, which is why they have made it illegal, to stop people gaining freedom. It has always been the tactic of the aggressor to burn our crops and our homes."

He also admits to smoking the related illegal drug. He said: "I smoke marijuana. It is a cleansing drug. It is good for stomach problems and headaches. There are links to cannabis curing cancer. It is very spiritual stuff full of dense consciousness – that is why it is illegal, because it makes you question the system."

Despite this, he also predicts that we are nearing the end of the world. He said: "In 2012 it is widely predicted that the world will end. It is predicted there will be a massive change in people's consciousness and we will see the end of Babylon and the end of the world as we know it. My job is to show people the way when this happens. Like Jesus I have been put in prison and punished and have come to see the way."