Rumours that a pub in Tooting is to be used as bed and breakfast accommodation for vulnerable people have been dismissed by Wandsworth Council.

A public meeting on Tuesday heard the council was planning to use the space above the Samuel Johnson Pub, in Mitcham Lane, as a temporary shelter for homeless people and those with drug and mental health problems.

But this claim has been totally rejected by the council's housing spokesman Councillor Martin Johnson who said the suggestion was "completely incorrect".

He said: "There is not a shred of truth to the idea that we are going to use the Samuel Johnson as temporary accommodation for anyone.

"We have absolutely no plans whatsoever to use the pub's accommodation for people who ask us for housing assistance. I'm afraid the person who made this claim at the meeting got her facts wrong.

"Frankly, it would be quite ludicrous to re-house people with alcohol problems in a public house.

"Let me reassure local people quite unequivocally that the council has absolutely no intention of placing homeless people or anyone else in the accommodation offered by this pub."

Some other local authorities do use the rooms at the Samuel Johnson as temporary accommodation but, according to the council, Wandsworth is not one of them.

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