'Labour councillors' response? Arrogance, dismissal, silence'

War of words between MP and town leaders on key issues

- BY MARK SMITH

AN EXTRAORDINARY war of words has erupted between local leaders and Runcorn’s new MP after they accused her of stoking ‘fear and confusion’ about the town following a series of claims in the media and the Commons.

In a strongly-worded joint statement, Labour's Halton Council leader Cllr Mike Wharton, council community safety chief Cllr Andrea Wall and Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner Dan Price said Reform MP Sarah Pochin had made a string of ‘incorrect and critical’ outbursts about the town, but had not provided evidence for any of them.

But Mrs Pochin has hit back, accusing them of ‘arrogance’ and of ‘dismissing’ local people's concerns.

Since taking office after her success in the May 1 by-election, Mrs Pochin has made a series of allegations, including that houses of multiple occupation (HMOs) in Runcorn are hotbeds for serious crime, drug dealing, trafficking, prostitution and grooming.

She also claimed local people are ‘frightened to go out of their houses’ because of the number of ‘illegal immigrants’ in the area and said the town had a ‘real problem with women's safety’