A homeless man was found dead on Parliament’s doorstep this morning – prompting MPs to call for tougher action to tackle rough sleeping.
The man was discovered in Westminster underground station by the back entrance to the Palace of Westminster, which politicians and their staff walk through every day.
Temperatures plunged to -2.1C in the areas last night, and many homeless people use the station to get shelter from the freezing temperatures outside.
Politicians said they were horrified at the news of the tragedy, and said it should serve as a wake-up call to do more to combat the rising numbers of rough sleepers.
Members of Jeremy Corbyn’s office said they knew the man – who has not been named – and laid flowers at the scene tonight.
Mr Corbyn left a note on a bouquet reading ‘This should never have happened. As a country we must stop walking by. Rest in peace’.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn sent flowers and a card reading ‘This should never have happened. As a country we must stop walking by. Rest in peace’ to the scene of the man’s death
Members of Jeremy Corbyn’s office said they knew the man – who has not been named – and are laid flowers at the scene tonight
A homeless man was found dead on Parliament’s doorstep this morning – prompting MPs to call for tougher action to tackle rough sleeping.
The man was discovered in Westminster underground station by the back entrance (pictured) to the Palace of Westminster, which politicians and their staff walk through every day
The Labour leader wrote on Twitter: ‘I’ve just been told about the death of a rough sleeper right by the entrance to Parliament.
‘The powerful can’t carry on walking by on the other side while people don’t have a home to call their own.
‘It’s time all MPs took up this moral challenge and properly housed everyone.’
Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner wrote: ‘A homeless man who was seen frequently at the tube entrance to Portcullis House Westminster underground station has been found dead today.
‘Whatever the circumstances it’s a terrible tragedy that somebody ends their days like this, the govt must do more to combat homelessness.’
Scotland Yard said the death is being treated as unexplained, but not suspicious.
A spokesman for the Ambulance Service said: ‘We were called at 7.16am today to Westminster Tube station, to reports of a man not breathing.
‘We sent a team leader, an advanced paramedic, a cycle responder and two ambulance crews.
‘Sadly, despite resuscitation efforts, he died at the scene.’
Members of the Labour Leader’s office said they would take the man hot food in the morning
Shadow education secretary Angela Rayner also tweeted her shock at the tragedy
Tory MP Grant Shapps said the death was ‘horrendous news’, adding: ‘Homelessness is an issue that requires constant attention.
‘Reducing rough sleeping is the mark of a civilised society and we must now get to grips with the issue.’
A House of Commons spokesman said: ‘We are saddened to hear of the death of an individual this morning at Westminster Tube Station and offer our condolences to their friends and family at this difficult time.’