Northumberland Labour says they’re disappointed in the leader of the council who failed to apologise for the callous remarks of one his cabinet members.

The cabinet member in question referred to the fact that people are not ‘dying in the streets and he ‘didn’t see many cases of rickets’ – these being indicators that the Tory leaders use as a council to judge whether people need additional support. This interview now seen by thousands of people online suggests this is the view of the Tory Administration.

Labour leader Scott Dickinson said: “These remarks show the council leaders up for being out of touch with ordinary hard-working people and the challenges they face. They can see people struggling all around them and they have the affront to make comments like this which are so insulting to the people they’re supposed to be serving.

“At the full council meeting we gave the leader the opportunity to apologise to families and charities for these callous remarks and he declined to do that.

“There are families on the breadline being pushed to the bare minimum by the state of the current economy brought on by this government.

“To refer to rickets and people dying in the streets is nothing short of a damn disgrace and I’m very disappointed that leader did not take the opportunity to apologise. I would like to personally thank the food banks, charities and individuals who go over and beyond to support those in need day in and day out and the families and organisations should know they have my 100% support for the work they do.”