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A Liverpudlian Tory MP who wants to be the next Prime Minister openly admitted he made life "uncomfortable" for homeless people.

Housing Minister Kit Malthouse is one of a rapidly growing list of Conservatives who are vying for the top job after Theresa May announced she would be stepping down.

Two of those in the running are originally from Liverpool - Mr Malthouse and former Work and Pensions Secretary, the Tatton MP Esther McVey.

Mr Malthouse is from Aigburth originally and attended Sudley Junior School before going on to Liverpool College in Mossley Hill.

He first ran for office in Liverpool, finishing a distant third in the battle for the Wavertree seat at the 1997 General Election.

He found more luck getting elected at Westminster Council - and it was here that he was part of a controversial campaign to force homeless people off the streets.

(Image: PA)

When he was deputy leader, the council was accused by one member of the London Assembly of adopting a "ruthless" policy towards homeless people which included 'hosing them out of doorways.'

Asked in 2008 if he was behind such a "hosing" policy, Mr Malthouse replied: "We certainly instituted a policy of making life - it sounds counterintuitive and cruel - more uncomfortable; that is absolutely right."

He added during the 2008 hearing: "One of the targets [I was] set was to more than halve the number in Westminster.

"Working with a number of charities and groups across Westminster we analysed the problem, and one of the issues was that in many ways - it sounds counterintuitive - life was too comfortable on the street.

"I know that sounds an awful thing to say but let me finish the argument, OK?

"There were, at the time, plenty, well-funded - we managed to get quite a lot of funding - night shelters and night centres; we managed to extract a cheque for £130,000 for St. Martin’s so it could stay open all night.

"The difficulty was getting rough sleepers into those centres so that they could be interacted with, their needs could be met."

(Image: Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire)

In 2004, after 27 homeless people were arrested in a joint operation between the council and police, Mr Malthouse suggested the "zero tolerance" policy could be adopted by other areas.

The Independent quoted him as saying: "The idea that everyone begging is down on their luck is a fantasy."

At the time of the 2008 accusations, by then-London Assembly member Jenny Jones, Mr Malthouse strongly defended his record and flatly denied being ruthless.

"The work we did in Westminster was welcomed by almost all the charities," he said.

But when Mr Malthouse was made Housing Minister last July, Labour said: "In her desperation, Theresa May has appointed a new Housing Minister whose callous disregard for the lives of homeless people should immediately rule him out of the job."

Mr Malthouse's promotion came as Dominic Raab - another leadership contender - was made Brexit Secretary, a role he left some months later.