AN official complaint has been made against John Tanner, the Oxford City Councillor, who branded the city's rough sleepers as a 'disgrace' this week.

Oxford East Conservative Association has issued a formal code of conduct complaint to the city council in relation to the comments made about homeless by Mr Tanner while he was speaking on BBC Radio Oxford.

Association deputy chairman councillor Alex Curtis, who submitted the complaint, said the Labour councillor's remarks were 'deeply concerning for someone of his experience, influence and position'.

He added: "Not only are they insensitive, they betray an appalling lack of compassion and concern for vulnerable residents the council are supposed to be protecting.

"I believe Oxford's residents have the right to demand answers for this attitude. The Labour-led city council, of which Cllr. Tanner is a leading member, has not led the way with constructive solutions to the substantial numbers of rough sleepers in Oxford."

Mr Tanner's comments have been branded 'disgusting' by members of the homeless community.

The Littlemore city councillor apologised after a huge backlash from members of the public.

He said: "I unreservedly apologise for the remarks I made on local radio about beggars in Oxford.

"It is a disgrace that we have beggars on the streets of Oxford but I do not blame the beggars for this situation. My comments were very ill-advised and do not reflect what I really think."

Mr Curtis added: "Measures to criminalise rough sleepers with on the spot fines of £100 demonstrate a shocking lack of regard for the plight of the homeless.

"The city frankly deserves better leadership on this issue than Cllr. Tanner and his party colleagues have provided."