'Worse than Skegness' or 'vibrant and resilient'? State of city sparks debate

A BROADMEAD business leader has hit back against a former Brexit Party and Tory politician for her damning description of a visit to Bristol's shopping quarter.

- Angus MCINTYRE

Annunziata Rees-Mogg, who served as a Member of the European Parliament (MEP) before Britain left the EU, took to X, formerly Twitter, to post a lengthy rant about her experience during a visit to Broadmead on Tuesday.

Ms Rees-Mogg, sister of former Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg, said she had seen several drug-affected and homeless people during her trip to the city centre. She described a scene of general urban decay including abandoned shopfronts and dirty buildings and streets. The post, which has been liked by more than 5,000 people, read: "Took two teenage girls shopping in Bristol today. As we circled the car park two drug addicts were getting their gear ready. As we walked to the big shopping centre a man high as a kite was trying to pick his phone off the floor and finding it highly amusing that he kept failing to do so.