Tory MP to raise Miners' Gala safety concerns
A Conservative MP has said she will contact the police to discuss keeping her team safe at the Durham Miners' Gala after hearing "threatening tones".
Dehenna Davison, MP for Bishop Auckland, received support from the Government after raising the issue in the House of Commons.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson
also urged Labour leader Jeremy Corbynto "d is associate himself strongly" from remarks made by the president of the area's miners' association.
Alan Mardghum said he was paraphrasing the PM's Brexit vow when saying he would" rather be found dead in a ditch" than invite Tory MPs or Mr Johnson to the gala.
He told an interview that the Conservatives "did their best to absolutely destroy" the Durham miners and those elsewhere, adding: "Can I stop them from coming in to Durham? It's a free country.
"But I'd suggest that if any of them are thinking of coming in that they speak to the police, who do an absolutely marvellous job on ensuring all of our personal security, so they might need to speak to the police to make sure they' re safe on the day."
Ms Davis on, one of the newly-electednortheast Tory MPs, praised Durham Constabulary for its work in protecting people in the area.
She then told the Commons: "Given the threatening tones I heard yesterday, I'm unfortunately going to be contacting them to talk about the safety of my team at the Durham Miners' Gala in July."
Home Office Minister BrandonLewis replied :" I did see the comments yesterday, which are very concerning. She's absolutely right to raise that issue with the relevant authorities, and I'm happy to discuss that with her as well to make sure it is properly taken forward."