A Labour MP has claimed that his constituency was described as a “shit-hole” by the home secretary, James Cleverly, during prime minister’s questions.

Alex Cunningham said Cleverly had uttered the phrase when the Labour MP for Stockton North asked: “Why are 34% of children in my constituency living in poverty?”

After standing up later in parliament to raise a point of order with the deputy speaker Eleanor Laing, Cunningham said of Cleverly: “He was seen and heard to say, ‘Because it’s a shit-hole’,” Cunningham said, to gasps from fellow Labour MPs.

    • Syldon
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      7 months ago

      Shithole is political gymnastics for not well funded. Yes, it is not well funded.

    • Screenhog
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      7 months ago

      Yes. It’s surrounded by pit villages, Hartlepool, Darlington and Middlesbrough - all arguable shitholes in their own right - and it is easily the worst of the lot.