MP criticised over 'Eastern European' homeless comments

Gloucester MP Richard Graham has been criticised for again making derogatory comments about immigrants - this time Eastern Europeans.

Mr Graham was involved in a discussion on Twitter after praising a reduction in homelessness in Gloucester.

The Gloucester City Mission rejected Mr Graham's claim and said the night shelters in both Gloucester and Cheltenham were full and turning people away.

The MP replied: "Look forward to you sharing all the data so we can find out more about eg E Europeans without ID/passports & get the right govmt help for individuals."

It is the fourth time Mr Graham has been criticised for making derogatory comments about foreign nationals in less than a year.

In December he apologised to the House of Commons after using the example of a domestic abuse victim suffering at the hands of their ex-partner, an EU national, to speak out against the principle of the right of EU citizens to have the freedom of movement to live anywhere in the European Union.

In October Mr Graham was criticised after speaking of the "quite high number of foreigners claiming food bank vouchers" and in August he suggested immigrants could not use dustbins.

Dr Rebecca Trimnell, Lib Dem Parliamentary candidate for Gloucester, said: "This is the fourth time in about seven months that Mr Graham has made unflattering comments about immigrants.

"Once can be seen as a mistake, twice is tantamount to xenophobia, three times is intolerable and fourth this man should not be the MP for such a multi-cultural city.

"The third time I believe he apologised. There is no point in asking for a fourth time as Mr Graham clearly has something against those that aren't deemed British.

"The people of Gloucester deserve a Member of Parliament who represents everyone who lives here, irrespective of their nationality. I hope people remember this at the ballot box."