Riled politicians slam 'offensive' HIGNFY post

Politicians have hit out at a TV show's "offensive" social media post which mocked a town over the government's "tourist tax" plans.

The BBC's Have I Got News For You (HIGNFY) X account made reference to Middlesbrough after regional mayors were given powers to introduce an overnight levy.

"Because who hasn't been to Middlesborough [sic] and thought 'I should have paid more money to be here,'" it read, also misspelling its name.

Conservative Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen described it as a "typical luvvie comment" while Labour MP for Stockton North Chris McDonald said it was "offensive to Teesside". Hat Trick Productions, which is independent of the BBC, has been approached for comment.

In its bio on the platform it states that "the BBC have asked us to point out it's nothing to do with them; the twitter feed that is, not the TV show".

Hat Trick Productions is also behind the hit BBC comedy Smoggie Queens, which is set and filmed in Middlesbrough, following a group of friends who are "fiercely proud" of the town.

Under plans, regional mayors in England would have the power to charge an uncapped levy - dubbed a "tourist tax" - as a percentage of the cost of hotels, bed and breakfasts and other types of accommodation.

The idea was first raised under former Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in November and is similar to schemes running in Scotland and European destinations.

The Have I Got News For You account said: "England's mayors to be given power to introduce tourist tax.

"Because who hasn't been to Middlesborough [sic] and thought 'I should have paid more money to be here'".

Houchen has been critical of the plans and said he would "never raise taxes", adding the "North has lots of offer".

McDonald said the post was "offensive to Teesside, offensive to the North and offensive to comedy" telling HIGNFY to "be better".

Fellow Labour MP, Hartlepool's Jonathan Brash, wrote: "Take your condescending, London-centric, risible attempt at humour and do one.

"I don't support this tax, but the North East is brilliant," he added.

Brash responded to the spelling error with "you can't even spell the place".

Meanwhile, Labour MP for Newcastle upon Tyne Central and West Dame Chi Onwurah said it was "great to see that stereotypes kept alive by excellent southern comic timing".

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