Joe Lycett raises £50,000 for homeless charity after controversial remarks by Suella Braverman

A bowl of potpourri posted on social media by comedian Joe Lycett has already reached its fundraising target of £50,000 for homeless charity Crisis UK after the 38-year launched a campaign for the charity after controversial comments from the Home Secretary, Suella Bravermanhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Suella_Braverman.

The campaign began after Braverman made comments about rough sleeping and claimed that rough sleeping is sometimes a “lifestyle choice” as she proposed restrictions on the use of tents in public streets. The Financial Times previously reported that Ms Braverman has proposed establishing a civil offense to deter charities from giving tents to homeless people. Under the proposals being presented for inclusion in today’s King's Speech, which outlines the UK Government's legislative agenda, organizations might face fines if their actions are considered to have caused a disturbance.

In response, Lycett took to his Instagram account to address his “old friend” Braverman, suggesting: “I always thought lifestyle choices were things such as cargo pants, fishing, and decorating your bathroom with a bowl of potpourri.”

As part of his campaign, Lycett told followers on his Instagram story “When you donate make sure to click Gift Aid as it means that Suella’s government then have to give an additional 25% towards it”. That led to his fundraising target being reached after only two days, prompting Lycett to respond earlier: “I woke up this morning to see that a picture of a bowl of potpourri I posted just over two days ago has raised £50,000 for Crisis. A huge thank you to everyone who donated for their generosity.

“Of course, my main thanks must go to Suella: without your lifestyle choice, of being callous and cruel towards the most vulnerable people in society, none of this would’ve happened.”

Lycett’s campaign comes a month after he wrote a parody letter to Ms Braverman shared on X in the wake of her suggestion that it is unsustainable for the UK to offer asylum to gay people who face discrimination in their home countries.