A Portuguese former model, described as tall and elegant, was found dead in Westminster tube station, just steps from the Houses of Parliament. The man, believed to be in his 40s, had been staying at The Connection, a central London homeless charity, and was due to move to another shelter. He is one of four rough sleepers to have died in London in the first six weeks of this year.
The charity said the man had complex circumstances, including mental health problems and alcohol use, but had previously worked as a model and in hospitality. He had applied for a waiter job the week before his death. Cordelia Wise, deputy manager at The Connection, said he dreamed of success in the entertainment industry and was determined to realise his ambitions.
Pam Orchard, chief executive of The Connection, warned that the man is likely to be one of dozens who will die homeless in London this year. She blamed sustained austerity and cuts to vital services for the rise in rough sleeping, saying: 'When you operate a policy of prolonged austerity, you lose the right to be surprised that people are falling through a net where the holes are getting bigger every day.'
Official figures show rough sleeping in England has increased for seven consecutive years, with 4,751 people sleeping outside overnight in 2017. The tragedy prompted an outpouring of anger, with shadow housing minister John Healey accusing Tory ministers of ignoring the rise. A message from Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn attached to flowers at the site read: 'This should never have happened. As a country we must stop walking by.'
