A COUNTY Durham MP faced boos and jeers from the Labour benches at the House of Commons today (May 18) after getting a ‘beergate’ jibe into the conversation after asking Prime Minister Boris Johnson if Durham was “more than just a place for a social evening of beer and takeaway curry”.

North West Durham Conservative MP, Richard Holden, asked the Prime Minister to ensure bids for education cash in his constituency were taken “as seriously as possible”.

As opposition MPs began to shout because of the length of his question, Mr Holden added: “Would he more broadly agree with me that education is a cornerstone of levelling up and ensuring more good jobs are available locally in County Durham too, so that it is more than just a place to bring friend for a social evening of beer and takeaway curry and is a pleasant place to live, work and bring up a family?”

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Boris Johnson replied that Mr Holden was a “massive champion for his constituency”.

Mr Holden campaigned for the police investigation into Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer’s campaign trail beer and curry event to be reopened.

The Northern Echo: North West Durham MP, Richard Holden. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO.North West Durham MP, Richard Holden. Picture: NORTHERN ECHO.

Sir Keir is currently under investigation from Durham Police after the force confirmed it would investigate “new significant evidence”.

The Labour leader is accused of breaking Covid-19 regulations last year when he was pictured enjoying a curry and beer at Durham Miners’ Hall while on the election campaign trail in support of the Hartlepool by-election.

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