Tory MP Urges Government to Drop Threat to Criminalise Rough Sleepers

A Conservative MP has urged the government to think again about a plan to criminalise rough sleepers. Bob Blackman is believed to be one of around 40 Tory MPs threatening to vote against a clause in the Criminal Justice Bill which would give the police the power to fine or move on “nuisance” rough sleepers. Mr. Blackman told The Times, “A lot of colleagues believe that the bill as it stands is completely unacceptable because it would have the effect of criminalising people who have no choice but to sleep on the streets.” In 2022, the government promised to repeal the 1824 Vagrancy Act, which is still in place and makes it a criminal offence to beg or sleep in the open....