DEPUTY LEADER SLAMS RADIO SLUR ON CITY
SUNDERLAND WAS BRANDED ‘AWFUL PLACE TO LIVE’
City leaders have hit back after a radio presenter branded Sunderland an ‘awful’ place to live.
Talk Radio’s Mike Graham caused a stir on Monday while discussing a recent study which named Sunderland as the best place to live and work for over-30s.
Sunderland came first in the Liveability Index -– based on a range of factors, including living costs, happiness and crime rates – followed by Leeds, Aberdeen and Milton Keynes.
But Graham, who hosts the station’s 10am-1pm show, branded the city “ghastly” – despite admitting he has never actually been to Wearside.
He told his listeners: “I don’t know anyone who likes Sunderland.
“I don’t know anyone who has been there who says it’s anything other than a completely awful, ghastly place and I’m talking about people who’ve studied there.”
But Coun Michael Mordey, Deputy Leader of Sunderland City Council, dismissed the presenter’s barbed comments.
He said: “I know lots of people in Sunderland, and indeed thousands of people across the world, who will have a very different view.
“This sounds to me as if some Talk Radio presenters need to get out a bit more.”
Graham’s remarks also got shortshriftwithEchoreaders.
Commenting on our Facebook page, Holly Rose James said: “I was born and raised in London and have been living in Sunderland for the last six years! It is a beautiful part of the country!”
Michael Jones wrote: “Beautiful beaches and coastline, second to none.”
And Daniella Hanson posted: “We have one of the best coastlines in the country. Yes our city has its flaws, like every city, but we do have friendly people and a beautiful view!”