Top Tory tells Cleverly to apologise after declare he referred to as Stockton a ‘sh**gap’

A Tory Mayor has advised Home Secretary James Cleverly to apologise after he was accused of calling Stockton a “sh**hole” within the Commons.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen hit out on the “childish and unprofessional” language and stated Mr Cleverly had dragged the world’s “name through the mud”.

Mr Cleverly, who was appointed Home Secretary final week, has denied making the comment within the Commons after a Labour MP raised the difficulty of poverty in Stockton. Asked whether or not he made the remark, his spokesman stated on Wednesday: “He did not, and would not. He’s disappointed they would accuse him of doing so.”

But in an announcement the Tees Valley Mayor Mr Houchen stated: “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.” He added: “This sort of language solely furthers the outdated and inaccurate stereotypes we have battled for years.

“We’re a beautiful place and a passionate and proud neighborhood, and folks the world over are trying on the thrilling future that’s rising earlier than us – however infantile and unprofessional language utilized by Westminster politicians, who ought to know higher, does nothing to assist our plans for progress”.

The row comes after the Labour MP Alex Cunningham alleged the derogatory remark was made by Mr Cleverly about his Stockton North constituency as he challenged Rishi Sunak on the extent of kid poverty in his constituency in north-east England.

Mr Cunningham stated he was “assured” the comment had been made by the Tory minister. He said it “shames” Mr Cleverly and called on him to “apologise with out reservation” . The Labour MP told the Mirror: “This remark shames the Home Secretary, the federal government and his get together and he ought to apologise with out reservation.

“And after he has done that he should visit my constituency, learn about poverty but also see for himself what a great place it is to live.” Speaking later to Channel 5 News, Mr Cunningham stated he didn’t assume Mr Cleverly “was fit for office”. Asked in regards to the remark, he stated: “It’s deeply insulting. It’s deeply offensive, and to come from a member of the government front bench is absolutely appalling.

“He must get to the dispatch field and apologise to us. After all of the Tories assume they will retain the “Red Wall” within the north east of England, properly consider you me, he’s simply helped to make sure we are going to rebuild it and it will likely be pink after the common election.”

Penny Mordaunt, the Leader of the Commons, advised MPs on Thursday Stockton “will be benefiting from £20 million levelling-up funding for Billingham town centre”. She added: “And with regard to the charge she makes against the Home Secretary, he denies it and I believe him.”