Tees Valley Mayor weighs in on calls for Minister to apologise over alleged Stockton comments
The Home Secretary denies using an unsavoury term to describe the town in Parliament
Last updated 23rd Nov 2023
UPDATE: A source close to the Home Secretary has said Mr Cleverly apologises for the unparliamentary language - but was referring to MP Alex Cunningham, rather than the town of Stockton with his words.
The source close to Mr Cleverly said his off-the-cuff remark in the Commons had been directed towards the MP, rather than his constituency.
"James made a comment. He called Alex Cunningham a s**t MP. He apologises for unparliamentary language," the source said.
"As was made clear yesterday, he would never criticise Stockton. He's campaigned in Stockton and is clear that it is a great place."
The Tees Valley Mayor's weighing in on whether or not a Conservative Minister called Stockton a derogatory term in Parliament.
Yesterday, Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham demanded an apology from Home Secretary James Cleverly - after he allegedly used a very rude phrase to describe the town.
Now, Ben Houchen is calling for Mr Cleverly to say sorry for referring to Stockton as a "Sh**hole".
Mr Cleverly denies making the remark, but Tees Valley mayor Lord Ben Houchen said it was "clear" he should say sorry for "dragging Stockton's name through the mud".
He condemned "childish and unprofessional language used by Westminster politicians who should know better".
READ MORE: Stockton North MP launches complaint over fellow MP's alleged comments about Teesside
Labour MP Alex Cunningham alleged the comment was made about his Stockton North constituency during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday.
Mr Cleverly's spokesman said: "He did not say that, and would not. He's disappointed people would accuse him of doing so."
But Lord Houchen said: "I'm not interested in excuses and I will always put our area above party politics and it is clear to me that the Home Secretary should apologise for dragging Stockton's name through the mud.
"Having made huge progress in recent years with major investment, thousands of jobs and Teesside forging a brighter future in the industries of the future including a new era of steelmaking, this type of language only furthers the outdated and inaccurate stereotypes we've battled for years.
"We're a wonderful place and a passionate and proud community, and people across the world are looking at the exciting future that is emerging before us - but childish and unprofessional language used by Westminster politicians, who should know better, does nothing to help our plans for progress."