WATCH: Portsmouth responds to Cllr Galloway's homeless rant

UKIP Cllr Colin Galloway described rough sleepers in Portsmouth as ‘unwelcome detritus’ – urging people to help him to ‘save our city’.

Cllr Galloway said: ‘We have tried the soft approach and have found it wanting; it’s time for some serious tough love.’

Residents and rough sleepers in the city have responded poorly to the councillor’s claims.

One rough sleeper, Bernie, said: ‘I feel quite angry about it – I mean, at the end of the day we’re still human, aren’t we?

‘It just makes us all feel like we don’t belong here, but this is our home.’

Another man, who begs on the street but owns a flat, says that Cllr Galloway’s claims are aimed at people like him – but he would appreciate the council’s help.

He said: ‘I’ve got myself in a bit of a state, to be honest.’