A regional daily editor has hit back at Home Secretary James Cleverly for what he has described as the MPs ‘sheer contempt and disregard’ for people on his patch.

Northern Echo boss Gavin Foster spoke out in defence of the North East following the MP’s alleged comments during last week’s prime minister’s questions in the Commons.

Following a question from Labour’s Stockton North MP Alex Cunningham asking why 34pc of children within his constituency were living in poverty, Cleverly was accused of saying ‘Because it’s a s**t-hole’.

While muffled audio recordings seemed to back up the claims, Cleverly later denied he was insulting Stockton but admitted that he was in fact calling Cunningham a “s**t MP.”

How the Northern Echo reported on the comments made by Home Secretary James Cleverly in the Commons this week.

Thursday’s Echo ran with the front-page headline ‘Shameful’ sitting above images of both Cunningham and Cleverly,

This was followed up on Friday with reaction to Cleverly’s explanation as the headline read ‘A sorry excuse’ and a leader inside called on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to ‘send Cleverly on a visit of shame to Stockton’.

Gavin told HTFP it was the title’s duty to stand up for the region and to highlight such ‘unacceptable’ behaviour.

“This sort of behaviour and language would be unacceptable for anyone in a work place, let alone from someone holding such high office and in the House of Commons and it needed to be called out,” he said.

“James Cleverly trying to pass this off as an apology by saying he was referring to the s**t MP, and believing that is acceptable, displays sheer contempt and disregard for the position he holds and the voters of the North East.”

Friday’s edition of the Northern Echo which reacted to the explanation from Home Secretary James Cleverly.