The MP who claimed her office was ‘besieged’ by asylum seekers makes constituents pre-book appointments and doesn't actually accept walk-ins.

Hartlepool MP Jill Mortimer was accused of playing up to racist stereotypes after she made the claims at PMQs on Wednesday (October 18).

She told the Commons: “Every week my office is besieged by asylum seekers. My staff are intimidated by young men. The fact is, most of them are illegal migrants who should be expelled.”

Read more: North East MP says office 'besieged' by asylum seekers and calls for expulsion

But it has emerged her office doesn’t accept walk-ins and appointments must be pre-booked by email or phone, despite her saying it was 'besieged' by young men with staff 'intimidated.

A sign outside her office says, ‘We are available by appointment only and unable to accept walk-ins’.

The Northern Echo: A sign outside the office makes it clear Mortimer is unable to accept walk-ins despite her claiming her office was besieged by asylum seekers.A sign outside the office makes it clear Mortimer is unable to accept walk-ins despite her claiming her office was besieged by asylum seekers. (Image: MICHAEL ROBINSON)

No one from Jill Mortimer’s office replied to our request for a statement or clarification of her comments in parliament.

Rosie Carter, director of policy at Hope not Hate previously said that “playing up to racist stereotypes” is “simply not acceptable or responsible behaviour” from an MP.

She told the Guardian: “Playing up to racist stereotypes about asylum seekers and scaremongering is simply not acceptable or responsible behaviour from an MP.

“Hope has recorded a sharp increase in far-right anti-migrant activity around the country, which can tear apart communities. This is made worse when politicians do not act with care and calm in difficult situations.”

The Northern Echo: It was quiet outside Mortimer's Hartlepool office when the Echo visited to take these photos on Friday (October 20). It was quiet outside Mortimer's Hartlepool office when the Echo visited to take these photos on Friday (October 20). (Image: MICHAEL ROBINSON)

Labour MP candidate for Hartlepool Jonathan Brash said it was up to Jill Mortimer to decide if she is doing a good job of representing her constituents.

He said: “My thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones at this time, it’s a tragic incident which I know has shocked a lot of people.

“The police have contacted all politicians in the area asking us to support them in maintaining calm and that is exactly what I am doing.

The Northern Echo: Mortimer made the claims during PMQs on Wednesday (October 18).Mortimer made the claims during PMQs on Wednesday (October 18). (Image: PARLIAMENT TV)

“I am not going to comment on what the MP said but I think it’s all of our responsibilities to ensure people stay calm and ensure no further life is put in danger. This was an isolated incident.

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“I think it’s important those who seek to represent the public are accessible, available and live in the town. I am about to start dropping clinics in Hartlepool from my office on York Road.

“It’s up to the MP to whether she thinks she’s doing that or not.”

Mortimer was elected in May 2021 in a by-election win for the Tories as the party swooped Hartlepool from Labour.