STOCKTON South MP Dr Paul Williams invited MPs to a Westminster "bootcamp" as he made his maiden speech in the Commons.

The newly-elected Labour MP, who is also a GP, began his speech by paying tribute to his Conservative predecessor James Wharton before saying: "Some of my colleagues have been excited to see another doctor in the House.

"Some members have been telling me about their bad backs and other things that I cannot disclose due to patient confidentiality. I have left my prescription pad at home, but they can join me in keeping fit at my 6am bootcamp.

"I invite Mr Speaker and other honorable members to set their alarms for tomorrow morning."

Dr Williams is a keen triathlete.

He went on to talk about his disappointment that health inequalities had not even been mentioned in the Queen's Speech, and that he was disappointed that one of his constituents had been waiting three years for their child to have an autism assessment, while expressed dismay that nurses' pay had been capped.