The home secretary claimed streets risked being âtaken overâ and that without action British cities would see âan explosion of crime, drug taking, and squalorâ.
She added that many of those living in tents were âfrom abroadâ. Those who were genuinely homeless would always be supported, she said.
But in a raft of criticism over her remarks, she was accused of âdisgracefulâ politics and of blaming the most vulnerable for her governmentâs failings.
Even former Tory MPs condemned her push to fine charities who give tents to the homeless â part of proposals pitched to be included in the Kingâs Speech on Tuesday.