United Kingdom

The Minister apologizes for calling Birmingham and Blackpool “disgusting”

A government minister apologized after receiving a backlash for describing Birmingham and Blackpool as “great” places.

Heather Wheeler, a Tory MP from South Derbyshire, said she had made an “inappropriate remark that did not reflect my real point of view” at a conference on Thursday, and that she apologized[s] for any violation caused ”.

The junior cabinet minister reportedly said during the event launching the government’s new digital strategy: “I just attended a conference in Blackpool or Birmingham or somewhere awful.”