A CITY councillor has been forced to apologise after he called homeless people ‘a disgrace.’

Labour councillor John Tanner was speaking on BBC Radio Oxford yesterday morning, discussing the homelessness crisis across the city.

He told listeners: “I would like to go to some of these rough sleepers and say you are a disgrace. I don’t think it would do any good but they ought to have more respect.”

This prompted the Oxford Green Party to warn it was considering launching a Standards Board complaint against him for allegedly breaching the councillor code of member conduct.

In response to the furore the councillor issued a public apology for his remarks.

He said: “I unreservedly apologise for the remarks I made on local radio about beggars in Oxford. 

“It is a disgrace that we have beggars on the streets of Oxford but I do not blame the beggars for this situation.

“My comments were very ill-advised and do not reflect what I really think. 

“Beggars often have mental health, drug or drink problems and deserve our support. I am sorry for the offence I have caused by my remarks.

Oxford City Council plays a leading role in helping the street homeless off the streets. I recognise that only some beggars are also street homeless. 

“I encourage everyone not to give money directly to beggars but to support charities like Oxford Poverty Action Trust (OXPAT).”

Following the apology the Green Party said it would consider its position as to whether it will go ahead with the complaint.