Inhumane! Removal of homeless people’s tents from outside UCLH in November

• IF I were a conspiracy theorist, I might think that some officers were trying to undermine Labour councillors and the Labour Party generally.

The CNJ report (‘Hostile environment’ claim as council moves bike racks and planters into space used by rough sleepers, June 6), reveals that the “inhumane treatment” of the “unhomed“ back in November has only marginally improved.

The council claims that the camping site outside their 5PS luxury office was unsafe. How and why is not stated. This time alternative accommodation was reportedly offered before the “unhomed” were removed.

Timing not good, and this sort of thing does much to damage the Labour Party image, also in the week of the 80th anniversary of D-Day! Did the council check if some of the unhomed were veterans?

I eventually got a response, via the Freedom of Information Act, as to what happened to the reported 10 whose tents were thrown into a bin cart back in November: “Several people were booked into short term accommodation while longer term options were found.” No information was provided as to whether these were actually found.

“Three persons were booked into long-term supported housing.”

Are they still there?

“One person moved into their own flat, the deposit and first months rents paid by the council.”

No explanation is given as to why all this did not happen before they lost their possessions.

As to preventing this inhumane treatment happening again, the response states: “Enhanced operating practices have been developed by the council which align with the council’s commitment towards providing humanitarian support for those experiencing homelessness.”

What these are was not stated.

So where are the victims now? At least there has been, hopefully, some improvement. But timing gets nil points.

Councillors must get better control of officers and especially those in outsourced agencies like Routes off the Streets.

MICK FARRANT, NW5