Prime Minister accused of "snubbing" the people of Teesside

The Prime Minister has been accused by a Labour MP of snubbing the people of Teesside after not inviting her to the announcement of a major regeneration scheme.

Anna Turley, who's MP for Redcar, said Theresa May ignored parliamentary protocol by not even notifying her of her visit to the North East to address the redevelopment of the closed SSI steelworks site.

Mrs May arrived to mark the launch of the South Tees Development Corporation, which aims to redevelop the 4,500-acre site and create thousands of jobs.

Ms Turley said: "I am pleased Theresa May has visited Teesside today for her own walk in the wilderness, to see the devastation wrought by the Tories at the SSI site.

"I wonder what she thought of the crumbling coke ovens and the rusting blast furnace they abandoned nearly two years ago.

"The visible symbol of their failure to act to save Teesside steel, when they seemed more than willing to act in Wales.

"Three thousand people lost their jobs at the site, and many more in the supply chain. Whilst plans and ambitions for the site are good, it seems it will be many years before jobs actually start to appear.''

She also posted on Twitter she had received "no invite, or even notice'' of the visit and was "disappointed because it's a snub to the people I represent''.

During the visit Mrs May said she was very pleased to see the launch of the development corporation and said it had "huge potential'' and was important for future jobs.

She said: "I want every part of the UK to reach its full potential and the regeneration of South Tees is a crucial step to stimulate economic growth across Tees Valley.

"The South Tees Development Corporation, the first of its kind outside of London, is a prime example of how placing power in the hands of local communities can drive growth.

"To deliver a strong, outward-looking Northern Powerhouse, part of an industrial strategy that works to improve productivity, we have to see all corners of the North reach their full economic potential.''

The Prime Minister was joined by Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen, who said he was urging businesses to come to Redcar and see the "fantastic infrastructure, good transport connections and local highly-skilled workforce within its catchment area''.