A ROW broke out last night after a North-East Tory mayor was criticised for an interview with the owner of a Teesside pub previously slammed for a "would you punch your ex" ad.

The Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen has since hit back at a "disgusting" smear attempt, while the owner of The George Pub and Grill, Craig Harker has responded.

Mr Houchen, who is weeks away from launching his campaign for re-election as the Conservative Tees Valley Mayor, suffered significant backlash on Sunday evening.

He had completed a radio interview on Saturday with Mr Harker, where he later confirmed on social media that he discussed freeports, music and the high street.  

In 2019, Mr Harker's past advertising campaigns, which included a social media post saying "would you punch your ex in the face for a steak," prompted concern.

It led to Cleveland Police and Stockton Borough Council officers asking town councillors for a review of the Stockton pub's ability to sell booze.

Police object to Stockton restaurant licence over past Facebook posts

But following Saturday's interview between Mr Houchen and Mr Harker, Labour's Candidate for Tees Valley Mayor Jessie Joe Jacobs condemned his actions, saying his decision was "beyond reprehensible."

She told the Daily Mirror: "At a time when the nation was grieving and women were raising their voices against violence against women, the Tories’ leading figure in the North does this.

“How can we ever expect the Tories to deal with violence against women when he aligns himself to this type of behaviour?

“It is a body blow to every woman fighting for a safer world and questions need to be asked”.

Ms Jacobs' comments were echoed by Labour MPs with one also accusing Mr Houchen of "flaunting his allegiance" with Mr Harker on the same evening that protestors gathered outside Scotland Yard for "positive change" following the death of Sarah Everard.

On Twitter, Labour MP for Newcastle North, Catherine McKinell said: "I literally gasped when I saw the abhorrent advert. It truly is an utter disgrace.

"For Ben Houchen to flaunt his allegiance with it so flagrantly on the very evening women were gathering nationally to call for action on misogyny and violence towards women is beyond comprehension."

But fiercely responding, Mr Houchen branded the comments as "disgusting" to link an "innocent interview" with the death of Ms Everard for political gain.

Describing the comments as the latest in a "nasty political campaign," he re-iterated that his concern with Ms Everard and her family. 

In a statement, he said: "I think it's disgusting that anyone would seek to link an innocent interview with live questions from the public to the awful murder of a wonderful young woman for political gain.

"I did a 10min radio interview yesterday with a local business owner and the public about Freeports, music and high streets. I did not 'hold an event' with anyone.

"It's sad to see that this is what my opponent has resorted to, especially when she was promoting the very same business only last month on social media.

"It is just the latest in a nasty political campaign from those who have nothing positive to offer or say about our area.

"With this crass political stunt by my opponent, my only concern is with Sarah and her family at this time. My thoughts are with them."

Meanwhile, Mr Harker of The George Pub and Grill described the criticism as a "clear attempt to smear" Mr Houchen.

Defending his previous social media post, Mr Harker said he "never once" promoted domestic violence saying he did not agree it incited violence by asking the question.

He added that he had since attempted to rectify the backlash from the post with charity donations.