JIM: THERE AREN’T ANY HOMELESS SQUADDIES
Comic’s rap as hostel is shut
CONTROVERSIAL comic Jim Davidson claims there are barely any war heroes living on Britain’s streets after a hostel for ex-servicemen was closed down.
Care After Combat shut Simon Weston House as staff “could not find anyone” to take its 12 spaces.
And charity stalwart Jim, 64, dismissed official figures reporting 13,000 ex-servicemen are currently sleeping rough, claiming other charities made up the number to “fill their buckets up”.
The comedian, who saw six audience members walk out of his Piers Morgan Life Stories interview last week over alleged racism, added: “It’s very simple to say there’s 50,000 homeless veterans on the streets, but I don’t believe those figures, because we couldn’t find any in Hampshire.
“I don’t think there’s as many homeless veterans as people say. I don’t know whether it’s the charities saying that just to fill their buckets up.”
About £60,000 was spent refurbishing the temporary home in Southampton named after the British hero who suffered horrific wounds fighting in the Falklands War.
The property was initially for those who spent time in prison after serving their country.
But Jim added that the charity he helped set up later threw the doors open for all ex-servicemen – but still struggled to fill its beds. The comic said in an interview with BBC Radio Solent: “When a lot of [veterans] came out of prison, they had nowhere to go and were just dumped outside.
“We thought it would be good if we could find somewhere for them to get their breath before they move on.
“This is the strange thing: We couldn’t find any homeless veterans to put in there.”
He said the first former soldiers who stayed at the hostel were only interested in “handouts and playing on a PlayStation”, rather than seeking help for their various addictions.
The home is now due to be auctioned off with a guide price of about £550,000.
A spokeswoman for ABF The Soldiers’ Charity dismissed Jim’s comments and insisted that its grants go to veterans and families when they are most in need.
She said: “This includes supporting those who are wounded, those who are elderly, those who need a hand back into the job market and many others in between.
“These grants cover a wide range of needs, including accommodation help for those who need it.”
Jim spoke out following a routine operation. He tweeted to his 151,000 followers: “I have been in hospital to have a chunk cut out !!!! Gall bladder. Yuk. On the mend now.” CLOSED: Simon Weston House is up for sale