A SOUTHAMPTON mum has defended her right to buy a home after criticism that she was too well-off.
Sharon Ray, 30, helped Prime Minister David Cameron promote the Help to Buy scheme when he visited her £135,000 two-bedroom flat in Millbrook to have a cup of tea last Thursday, as reported in the Daily Echo.
The initiative uses public money to help people get on the property ladder as a way of helping to stimulate the economy.
Mother-of-one Ms Ray, of Regents Park Road, came in for criticism on social media when it was revealed she is a sales director for Enfields estate agents who sold the flat to her, and drives a £33,000 BMW 3 Series convertible. Critics also said she was married.
One tweeted: “Mr Cameron and Ms Ray. Gobsmackingly audacious!”
Ms Ray later posted on Twitter that the BMW was a company car and that she separated from her husband six months ago.
She also said: “I have done nothing wrong, I work 39hrs a week, everything I have I have worked very hard 4. When was it a crime to work hard?”
The Help to Buy scheme has helped 6,000 people nationally enabling them to get a mortgage with a five per cent deposit. Ms Ray put up a £7,000 deposit and borrowed the rest for the flat.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel