Windsor councillor calls for crackdown on homeless before royal wedding
Outrage as Simon Dudley urges police action to tackle ‘epidemic’ that paints town in ‘unfavourable light’
The leader of Windsor council has faced a powerful online backlash after calling for a clampdown on the royal borough’s homeless population before the royal wedding.
Conservative councillor Simon Dudley was branded ‘abhorrent’ and out of touch for the remarks, which he tweeted from a Christmas skiing holiday in the US.
In a letter sent to Police and Crime Commissioner Anthony Stansfeld on Tuesday, Dudley set out the supposedly ample resources currently available to Windsor’s rough sleepers, whom he said “present a beautiful town in a sadly unfavourable light”.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
With all eyes on Windsor in May for the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Dudley argued that stricter enforcement of anti-vagrancy and anti-begging legislation was necessary in light of “the special context and security profile of the town”.
The comments were picked up by several news outlets and quickly generated a backlash as social media users criticised Dudley’s attitude as an attempt to sweep the pressing issue of homelessness under the carpet to create a fairytale backdrop for the royal wedding:
Leading barrister and founder of the Good Law Project Jo Maugham QC drew on the Bible to highlight the uncharitable attitude of the comments:
While others called for protests on the day of the wedding:
“Stigmatising or punishing [rough sleepers] is totally counterproductive,” Greg Beales of housing charity Shelter told The Guardian. “They desperately need our help, support and advice to move off the streets into safety and, eventually, into a home.”
However, some Windsor residents defended Dudley’s comments, saying they were a realistic reflection of a growing problem in the royal borough:
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Discovering Perthshire, a Scottish wonderland
In Depth Make your own magic in this gateway to the Highlands
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
The Forsyte Saga: 'faultless' production with a 'pitch-perfect' cast
The Week Recommends Theatrical adaptation of John Galsworthy's novels is a 'must-see' show
By The Week Published
-
US economy still strong in final preelection report
Speed Read It grew at a solid 2.8% annual rate from July through September
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
The rise and fall of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson
In Depth Duchess of York said the family is ‘a united front’ despite Epstein scandal
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Plummy TV royals expert is Italian-American from New York
In Depth Thomas Mace-Archer-Mills, born Tommy Muscatello, says he identifies as a Brit
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Meghan Markle: the rules she must follow as a royal
In Depth The Duchess of Sussex has to ditch ‘commoner’ habits including taking selfies and wearing colourful nail varnish
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Is Meghan Markle really the new Wallis Simpson?
In Depth The former actress’s wedding car was the same model that carried Wallis Simpson to her husband’s funeral
By The Week Staff Published
-
Meghan Markle’s first public appearance as the Duchess of Sussex - photos
In Depth British designer Goat’s website crashes after new royal wears their dress to Buckingham Palace garden party
By The Week Staff Published
-
Could Meghan Markle become queen... or US president?
In Depth Duchess of Sussex might miss out on British throne but is rumoured to have her eyes on the White House
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Prince Harry and Meghan vs. Prince William and Kate: the official wedding photos
Speed Read Duke and Duchess of Sussex opted for celebrity snapper Alexi Lubomirski to capture their big day
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Royal wedding: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s flowers sent to hospice as ‘lovely’ surprise gift
Speed Read Flowers from Windsor Castle ceremony sent to charities around the UK, but bridal bouquet follows a special royal tradition
By The Week Staff Published