A TEESSIDE MP has denied having coronavirus following a spell of “self-isolation” in Westminster.

Stockton South MP Matt Vickers was unwell last week – but confirmed on Wednesday he did not have the virus following tests.

Mr Vickers was due to attend the latest Friends of the Stockton and Darlington Railway meeting alongside Bishop Auckland MP Dehenna Davison and Darlington’s MP Peter Gibson.

But a report from the Friends of the S&DR website claimed Mr Vickers was “unable to attend due to being in voluntary quarantine” after a recent visit to Thailand.

Mr Vickers confirmed he started to feel unwell during the parliamentary recess between February 13 and February 24.

He said: “I recently went to Koh Samet to visit a friend who had emigrated some time ago.

“On arriving back, I was concerned so given the issues I took the cautious approach of calling 111.

“I was tested and spent several days in isolation until the results came back confirming I was not infected.

“Whilst mine was a case of man flu,  I think it’s better to be safe than sorry and would advise anyone with any concerns that they should also contact 111.

“I’d like to thank everyone who’s been in touch sharing their concerns and the fantastic NHS staff who are working so professionally under pressure.”

Mr Vickers was elected as Conservative MP in Stockton South in December – defeating Labour’s Paul Williams by more than 5,000 votes.

He is still a councillor in Hartburn – and was criticised by members for his absence at last Wednesday’s budget meeting in Stockton.

As of Wednesday, data from Public Health England showed a total of 16,659 people have been tested for coronavirus in the UK – of which 16,574 have come back as negative while 85 were confirmed as positive.