An MP has condemned the squatting of an empty department store.

Mike Weatherley, Conservative MP for Hove, who campaigned for a recent law change making some forms of squatting illegal, said the occupation of the Co-op building in London Road, Brighton, this week was “inevitable”.

The Squatters Network of Brighton is holding an International Squatters Convergence in the city until Sunday, May 20.

The group has not confirmed that it is behind the squatting at the Co-op but its logo has been drawn on windows inside.

In a statement yesterday Mr Weatherley described the event as “a festival of chaos”.

He said: “For far too long, squatters have been a plague on our city – they should get out and stay out.”