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A musician has ended a 24-day hunger strike after Government ministers made a mercy dash to his hospital bedside.
Alasdair Codona had been starving himself to death outside the Scottish Parliament in protest at the treatment of homeless people.
He was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on Friday after becoming dangerously weak – but would still not eat because he felt the Scottish Government had refused to listen to his protest.
The 51-year-old only ended his campaign after housing minister Kevin Stewart and social security minister Jeane Freeman MSP visited him in hospital.
In a stunning victory for Codona, Stewart has now vowed to introduce a “statutory right” for people to declare themselves homeless.
After the meeting, Alasdair celebrated with a bowl of peas.
He released a picture on social media along with a statement that read: “Two government ministers have just come and I have received certain assurances, as a result of which I am ending my hunger strike.”
Alasdair was homeless in Glasgow for two years, sleeping on the streets and at the city’s notorious Bellgrove Hotel.
He has a degree in music and has taught the subject in the past, while also working as a highly respected Gaelic singer, harpist and pianist.
Alasdair decided to go on hunger strike after campaigning for three years without success.
He wants the Government to simplify the process for people to declare themselves homeless to
allow them to access support services easier.
(Photo: Daily Record)
Stewart said: “I met Mr Codona yesterday and agreed with him there should be a statutory right for people to make an application for homelessness.
“I will now look at the options of ensuring this happens.”
Alasdair agreed to go to hospital on Friday after a visit from a doctor and discussions with welfare campaigner Ishbel Taromsari and Andy Wightman MSP, who had been supporting him.
His brother William had also arrived in Edinburgh after learning of his campaign on social media.
Once in hospital he still refused to eat until the visit from Stewart, who agreed with the points he was making and vowed to make changes.
Alasdair broke his fast with a bowl of peas, then tucked in to a three-course meal of Scotch broth, chicken and vegetables and clootie dumpling.
Alasdair said: “It felt incredible. It felt alien, like a newborn eating food for the first time.”
He added: “In the past, I have had only a superficial response.
“It shouldn’t have taken 23 days of a hunger strike but the ministers did listen.
“I feel I’ve achieved something for the most vulnerable of homeless people. It has been worth it, to know that the people who are powerless have been heard and understood by the people with power.”
Alasdair Codona was starving himself to death outside the Scottish Parliament but finally ate today after the housing minister vowed to introduce a “statutory right” for people to declare themselves homeless.
Get daily updates directly to your inbox + Subscribe Thank you for subscribing Could not subscribe try again later Invalid Email A musician has ended a 24-day hunger strike after Government ministers made a mercy dash to his hospital bedside Alasdair Codona had been starving himself to death outside the Scottish Parliament in protest at the treatment of homeless people He was taken to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary on Friday after becoming dangerously weak but would still not eat because he felt the Scottish Government had refused to listen to his protest The 51-year-old only ended his campaign after housing minister Kevin Stewart and social security minister Jeane Freeman MSP visited him in hospital In a stunning victory for Codona Stewart has now vowed to introduce a statutory right for people to declare themselves homeless After the meeting Alasdair celebrated with a bowl of peas He released a picture on social media along with a statement that read Two government ministers have just come and I have received certain assurances as a result of which I am ending my hunger strike Alasdair was homeless in Glasgow for two years sleeping on the streets and at the city’s notorious Bellgrove Hotel He has a degree in music and has taught the subject in the past while also working as a highly respected Gaelic singer harpist and pianist Alasdair decided to go on hunger strike after campaigning for three years without success He wants the Government to simplify the process for people to declare themselves homeless to allow them to access support services easier Photo Daily Record Stewart said I met Mr Codona yesterday and agreed with him there should be a statutory right for people to make an application for homelessness I will now look at the options of ensuring this happens Alasdair agreed to go to hospital on Friday after a visit from a doctor and discussions with welfare campaigner Ishbel Taromsari and Andy Wightman MSP who had been supporting him His brother William had also arrived in Edinburgh after learning of his campaign on social media Once in hospital he still refused to eat until the visit from Stewart who agreed with the points he was making and vowed to make changes Alasdair broke his fast with a bowl of peas then tucked in to a three-course meal of Scotch broth chicken and vegetables and clootie dumpling Alasdair said It felt incredible It felt alien like a newborn eating food for the first time He added In the past I have had only a superficial response It shouldn’t have taken 23 days of a hunger strike but the ministers did listen I feel I’ve achieved something for the most vulnerable of homeless people It has been worth it to know that the people who are powerless have been heard and understood by the people with power