Daily Mail admits errors in homelessness blog

The PCC decided to look into the blog written by novelist and ex-army officer Allan Mallinson that suggested homeless hostels were ‘packed full of immigrants’ after five complaints.

The newspaper amended the article published in June to indicate although Somalis and Poles are housed in some shelters they are not in the majority. Mr Mallinson wrote in his blog that homelessness shelters were ‘full of Somalis and Poles’.

It also accepted its figure of 25 per cent of homeless people being former servicemen came from a report published in the mid-1990s and issued a clarification. The latest figures from homelessness charity Broadway put this figure at 4 per cent.

The newspaper issued a clarification to say that it was incorrect to state benefits could not be claimed without an address. It also accepted hostels were not free and to stay there a homeless person must be in receipt of benefits, which have been linked to National Insurance payments in the past.

Forty homelessness organisations signed a letter to Daily Mail Online refuting the blog’s claims. One of the signatories and complainants to the PCC was chief executive of homelessness charity Thames Reach Jeremy Swain.

‘This is the kind of irresponsible reporting that can seriously undermine community relations and lead to the victimisation of minority groups in this country,’ he said.

‘I am delighted that the Mail has acknowledged that the article was fundamentally flawed and unconditionally surrendered on all the points we raised, and I thank all those people who joined with us in expressing revulsion at gutter journalism of this type.’

Mr Swain had been concerned the blog could lead to racial discrimination.

Umbrella-group Homeless Link co-ordinated the letter of complaint to the Daily Mail. A Homeless Link spokesperson said: ‘If we want to get the investment and commitment we need from society to tackle rising homelessness, the public has to understand the issue. 

‘This requires accurate and responsible reporting by the press, something this case should help to encourage in the future.’

The Mail Online also published an opinion piece from the umbrella group in response to the blog.

The PCC investigated the complaint as a breach of article one of the editors’ code of practice, which covers accuracy. It had also received complaints it breached article 12 of the code on discrimination.