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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Death of man in Westminster Tube Station

124 replies

LittleLostLion · 17/02/2018 10:33

So, I saw this as I was walking to work this week. I experienced a range of emotions when I read the man had died [for those of you that don't know this man was experiencing homelessness and died a few hundred feet from the Houses of Parliament].

Quite an outpouring of how unacceptable this was from some MPs including Jeremy Corbyn, as well as charities who were supporting the man.

It's now being reported that he had been deported twice, the first time because he had sexually abused a child and had a prison sentence, the second for re-entering the UK illegally.

Connections have been reporting on how they have been supporting this man to find a job - AIBU to think they should be doing background checks on people before they start helping them source work?

All I can think of is this had the potential to be Alice Gross all over again. Why the hell haven't we learnt our lessons?

OP posts:
LittleLostLion · 18/02/2018 08:29

I am not saying he deserved to die on the street.

However, our children deserve to be safe and I am questioning why he was being given support and help with finding jobs when he had committed a heinous crime and, not once, but twice and been deported from the country.

I am currently homeless due largely to mental health problems caused by people who behaved like he did. I however, haven't done anything illegal to be in the position I am; I just have severe and enduring mental health problems.

For those asking for links - I saw it on a news clip on YouTube originally. However, news.google.co.uk brings up a few links to articles with it on.

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HatsontheWardrobe · 18/02/2018 08:31

slarty

It's not about deserving to die, it's the fact that his history significantly contributed to his living on the street, as will his life choices.

Wasn't it the Mayor of West Mids who recently confirmed that there are enough empty spaces in shelters and hostels for all Birmingham's homeless, but there are some who choose to live outside the minimal rules required to access them (such as regulation of drugs and alcohol)?

Slartybartfast · 18/02/2018 08:31

How do you know he didnt have mental health problems too.

Slartybartfast · 18/02/2018 08:32

It is very sad, there are homeless and yet there is accommodation. How about the op? The op is homeless. Yet there is apparently plenty of accommodation/shelter.

SuperBeagle · 18/02/2018 08:34

I can't say I honestly care that a child abuser died on the streets.

I find it quite shocking that people think peoples' indifferent reaction to his death on this thread is worse than the crimes he committed against children.

itsmeimcathyivecomehome · 18/02/2018 08:34

Slarty - so his mental health problems would have excused him abusing children (if it's true)?? You seem to ignore that bit!

HatsontheWardrobe · 18/02/2018 08:36

slarty being "homeless" and living "on the street" are two different things.

I may be wrong, and don't want to speak for the OP, but I'm guessing that lion is not rough sleeping.

Cheby · 18/02/2018 08:38

If this is all accurate; no of course he didn’t deserve to die in the street. But he also didn’t deserve to be helped into work and accommodation. He deserved to be escorted back to the police and deported again.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 18/02/2018 08:38

I won’t be shedding any tears because a child abuser, who shouldn’t even have been here, died on the streets. I can’t believe some posters seem be be ignoring the child abuser part.

LittleLostLion · 18/02/2018 08:39

Slartybartfast - I'm in a hostel, I have to move beds frequently and I share a room with several other people. But I am now in a position where I do get to sleep in a bed.

They did need my ID before I could stay here though, and there are rules to live by.

OP posts:
Slartybartfast · 18/02/2018 08:41

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 18/02/2018 08:43

If you don’t believe it then report the post @Slartybartfast

FlouncyDoves · 18/02/2018 08:43

‘Experiencing homelessness’?! That’s a bit pc isn’t it?

Also, the two issues should be unlinked. The fact he was here illegally is surely beside the point of whether it’s acceptable for a homeless person to die on our streets (or on the steps of political power).

DottyS · 18/02/2018 08:43

Personwithhorse can you prove your statements - which seem based and I mean based on ignorance = where is your proof that the EU is a corrupt organisation? Just curious where your found your proof between immigration and low wages. Where is your proof that we will take in billions from around the world (and I am assuming you are referring to people and not the substantial amount of money the UK receives from the EU in terms of research grants etc.)

I look forward to your intelligent reply

LunchBoxPolice · 18/02/2018 08:44

One less paedophile in the country... never a bad thing

pisacake · 18/02/2018 08:44

i'm not sure if there is anything at all to be learned from this, other than perhaps tighten the borders to stop the likes of him returning to rape more kids.

there are homeless services, but this man didn't engage with them.

ultimately you can't stop men from choosing to be on the streets to beg and be substance-dependent - you can offer support, but if the likes of this dangerous and unpredictable man says 'no I want to be on the streets', what are you supposed to do?

next thing would be complaints that the homeless are being swept off the streets.

clearly some people are not able or willing to engage with the system. they are on the streets. some of them will die. there is no real lesson here.

LittleLostLion · 18/02/2018 08:46

Slartybartfast You only have to google to see the articles, it's been reported, fair enough if you don't believe the newspapers, leave the thread.

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Slartybartfast · 18/02/2018 08:49

i dont believe what you quote in The Mail or the Express

LittleLostLion · 18/02/2018 08:49

Then feel free to walk away from the thread...

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pisacake · 18/02/2018 08:50

it's been reported in the portuguese press, you could actually do your own research instead of being a dick

Slartybartfast · 18/02/2018 08:51

Agree with the op or walk away?

stitchglitched · 18/02/2018 08:52

The Times are reporting it too as are Portugese Media. I wouldn't hold my breath for the Guardian.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 18/02/2018 08:54

Or, if you’re that concerned you could do some research and counter the claims Slarty

HatsontheWardrobe · 18/02/2018 08:55

slarty. I appreciate that this may cause you to feel uncomfortable, but we do not (yet) live in a world where facts can be rewritten to protect our feelings.
The I don't believe it is true cry of "fake news" is the adult equivalent of a toddler putting their hands over our ears and shouting that they can't hear.

A man died, he was a criminal and had chosen a path that contributed to his death.

LittleLostLion · 18/02/2018 08:55

Do we always deport Europeans who have committed crimes after their sentence has finished?

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