Call to suspend MP in row over housing

Politician accused community group of Reform UK links

- Phil Corrigan

UNDER FIRE: Allison Gardner.

A COMMUNITY group has called for a Stoke-on-Trent Labour MP to be suspended - after she accused them of having a 'clear alignment with Reform UK.

Stoke-on-Trent South MP Allison Gardner has told Lightwood Community Group that she will no longer engage with them directly, following a row relating to the city's draft local plan.

In response, the group has claimed Dr Gardner made defamatory comments about them in a letter, and says she should be investigated by Parliament and the Labour Party.

The community group is currently campaigning against proposals to earmark Green Belt land at Lightwood for up to 3,000 homes in Labour-run Stoke-on-Trent City Council's local plan.

Dr Gardner attended a recent public meeting organised by the group, where she objected to a community group member reading out a letter from Reform UK, which expressed support for the group’s campaign.

The row escalated, leading to Dr Gardner telling the group in a letter that she would no longer engage with them directly due to the tone of recent communications and accusing them of political bias.