Boris Johnson has visited Teesside on what is likely to be his last visit to the area while Prime Minister.

Mr Johnson, who is due to be replaced after resigning as leader of the Conservative party earlier this month, was also spotted at Teesside Airport.

The Northern Echo was not invited to cover his visit to Hartlepool, where he said the Government's committment to levelling up was "rock solid".

But the town’s MP Jill Mortimer posted a video on her Facebook page, showing the pair congratulating each other on their successes.

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They were visiting JDR Cables, which is based in the town and in September announced a £130m new investment in offshore wind production. The company, which supplies undersea cables to the industry, was given a chunk of the funding through the Government’s Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Support scheme.

Mr Johnson, who has resigned as leader of the Conservative party and will remain as Prime Minister until his successor is chosen, said: “It’s fantastic to be here in Hartlepool where there has been a massive investment in cables.”

He went on to congratulate Ms Mortimer for her “record swing” in her win in last year’s by-election, which she replied by saying: “A historic win for you.”

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She added: “It’s lovely to have the Prime Minister back in Hartlepool. We know how much he loves it here.

“We have got a fantastic plant here in JDR Cables and we need to expand so they can create longer lengths so that they can compete in the market and bring fantastic high skilled jobs to Hartlepool.”

The Northern Echo: Boris Johnson and Hartlepool MP Jill Mortimer Boris Johnson and Hartlepool MP Jill Mortimer

Mr Johnson said: “What it shows is the government’s commitment to the North East is absolutely rock solid and growing.

“The stuff we are doing in Teesside and you are doing in Hartlepool will be absolutely generational change.”

The Northern Echo: Boris Johnson arriving at Teesside Airport Picture: George Stephens Boris Johnson arriving at Teesside Airport Picture: George Stephens

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