'Do the honourable thing and resign' - city leader's scathing attack on MP

The Reform city council leader has launched a scathing verbal attack on Houghton and Sunderland South MP and education secretary Bridget Phillipson - just two weeks after taking up his position at City Hall.

- By Neil Fatkin

The May 7 local elections saw Sunderland Labour lose dozens of councillors and majority control of the council, which the Labour Party had controlled for decades, with the running of the Council now in the hands of Reform UK.

Following Reform taking office, Mrs Phillipson has written direct letters to Councillor Chris Eynon and posted messages on social media criticising the Reform Party for creating paid cabinet positions, changing the flag-flying policy at City Hall, and highlighting alleged racist comments made by an incoming Reform Sunderland councillor.

Cllr Eynon has now taken the decision to write back to Mrs Phillipson in an open letter.

He said: “On Thursday, May 7, the people of Houghton and Sunderland delivered a clear verdict at the ballot box.

"Across the area, not a single Labour councillor was elected while Reform secured 24 of the 30 available seats in the constituency.