Rebel Tory MPs Threaten To Reject Rough Sleeping Bill

Rishi Sunak is facing a Tory revolt over plans to criminalise homelessness in a key crime bill this year.

- ARCHIE MITCHELL

The prime minister risks a backbench rebellion when MPs vote on the Criminal Justice Bill, which would give police the power to fine or move "nuisance" rough sleepers. Dozens of MPs from the left and right of the Conservative Party are said to have warned Tory whips they will vote against measures in the bill.

Senior government sources told The Times they had “paused” the legislation while ministers negotiated with more than 40 expected rebels. “The government is panicking about the scale of the rebellion because they know if it gets pushed to a vote they will lose,” one said. The rebel added: “But we’re not backing down or giving way. The ball is in the government’s court. They need to listen or it will be desperate for them.”

Yesterday, a minister refused to say whether he would support the plans to criminalise rough sleeping. Asked by Times Radio whether he would back the bill as it stands, business minister Kevin Hollinrake said: “Those things are not within my auspices. I will be interested to see the legislation as it goes through and what the prime minister has planned.”

Asked if it was right to arrest someone for so-called nuisance rough sleeping, Mr Hollinrake said: “What is the most important thing is we provide the resources to get people off the streets and there should be those places where people can go to.