Want to keep up to date on Welsh politics? Sign up and get political news sent straight to your inbox Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A councillor who demanded that tents where homeless people are sleeping in Cardiff are "torn down" has been reinstated by the city's Conservative group.

Councillor Kathryn Kelloway was suspended by Cardiff Conservatives on Friday, January 25 after demanding on Twitter that Cardiff council "tear down these tents" on Queen Street.

The Welsh Conservatives had distanced themselves from councillor Kelloway's comments on Friday, saying they "in no way reflect the views of the Welsh Conservatives".

But councillor Kelloway, who was branded "vile" and "inhuman" by some social media users for her post, was reinstated on Monday following a meeting of the the council's Conservative group which agreed that the tents must be removed.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

A spokeswoman for the group said: "The Conservative group recognises whilst councillor Kelloway's comment did not meet universal approval that in line with current views held by Cardiff council, the tents must be removed as they deter rough sleepers from seeking safe accommodation and affects the reputation of the city centre."

Cardiff council's cabinet member for housing, Labour councillor Lynda Thorne, has also suggested that the tents are not effective and said they are putting homeless people "at risk".

She said they mean fewer people are being helped off the streets and said there is no need for anyone to sleep outside because there are enough hostel places available in the city.

Writing on Twitter on Friday, cllr Thorne said: "The charities giving out tents need to understand they are putting rough sleepers at risk. They are disengaging with services and many are missing vital health appointments. Prior to December we were helping on average 10 people off the streets per month, in December it fell to four."

She said that on average 16 available spaces are empty in Cardiff's emergency accommodation every night.

The council said two of the last four rough sleeper deaths have happened in tents.

Cllr Thorne said: “It’s understandable that people might feel safer inside a tent, but the reality is that without other adequate protection they are still exposed to the harsh conditions of sleeping rough. Tragically, two of the last four rough sleeper deaths in the city happened in tents."

But she said cllr Kelloway's Tweet calling for tents to be "torn down" was "inflammatory" and "misguided," and said "we have to be much calmer in arriving at a solution".

"This is not about victim blaming," she said. "It is about helping. All the indicators show that outcomes are worse for rough sleepers who continue to sleep on the streets, than for those who come in and access support services.

"Therefore the council’s duty of care is clear – to find a way of engaging with these individuals that gets them off the street, and back on their feet. To do that they need to access our services.

“Tents cannot begin to provide an adequate substitute for the warm and dry accommodation we have in the city and the professional support services available that can help people to get back on their feet."

Cllr Kelloway said she stands by her comments.

“I am very grateful for the support of my Conservative colleagues. I stand by my comments. The tents put the street homeless at risk as well as damaging Cardiff’s reputation," she said.

The Tory councillor added: “There are more than enough hostel spaces available in Cardiff. The council has acknowledged that there is no reason for anyone to sleep rough here. The provision for homeless people here is some of the best in the UK and the council deserve credit for that.

“By the council’s own admission, these tents are causing fewer homeless people to stay in hostels and receive proper support and medical help. Tents are causing harm to the homeless and to the city. They must be taken down as soon as possible.”

Cardiff homeless charity The Huggard said it was "appalling" to suggest the answer was to "tear down" the tents and does not support enforcement action.

But its chief executive Richard Edwards said "tents are not a solution to rough sleeping".

Mr Edwards said: "We need to get people the support they need. We need to get people into proper accommodation.

"If somebody has a substance misuse or mental health issue, being in a tent can compound these issues and someone's life may be at risk.

"We encourage people to show compassion to people on the streets. But we need to be helping people into services and proper accommodation."

Liberal Democrat spokesman on housing, councillor Joe Carter, criticised the Conservatives group for endorsing the "inflammatory" comments.

He said: "We are shocked by the haste with which she has been welcomed back into the fold. The Tories have now backed her calls to tear down the tents - a call we believe is reckless and heartless."