Berwick MP criticised for US trip amid Storm Arwen clear-up

Since Friday, November 27, communities in the region have faced ten days without power and heating – with near to 700 properties still without electricity today.

Despite people still going without the basic amenities in Northumberland, over the last 24 hours, Berwick-Upon-Tweed MP, Anne-Marie Trevelyan has been greeted by negativity from certain sections of her constituency after she flew out to New York over the weekend ahead of a three-day visit.

Read more: Major incident declared in Northumberland after Storm Arwen damage

As the International Trade Secretary, Ms Trevelyan, is visiting North America to strengthen relations between the UK and US.

The MP will be meeting investors today in New York, before moving on to Washington DC to meet US Trade Representatives and members of Congress.

However, with residents in her constituency still affected by Storm Arwen and an amber weather warning in place for high winds, rain and snow through Storm Barra, the fact that the Berwick MP is in America hasn’t gone down well with those in Northumberland, including the region’s Labour Group Leader, Cllr Scott Dickinson.

MP for Berwick-Upon-Tweed, Anne-Marie Trevelyan.

After learning about Ms Trevelyan’s visit to the US, Cllr Dickinson has described the fact that the local representative had left the country as “madness”.

He said: "It beggars’ belief really. In this day and age, when we've just experienced Covid where we all got used to Zoom and conference calls, during a state of emergency in her own constituency she could quite easily have participated virtually.

"I just think the presence of your constituency MP in an emergency makes a difference, knowing that they are there to be that voice for the constituency with the extra resources that are required.

Storm Arwen has damaged property in Northumberland and parts of the wider North East.

"With the best will in the world, people in London can't understand what's happening here without someone in Parliament doing that.

Cllr Dickinson added: "It comes to something when your MP leaves your constituency in a state of emergency with thousands of residents without power, flood warnings across the constituency and now severe warnings for snow and wind.

“A lot of the infrastructure that's already been damaged has had temporary repairs and if the severe weather warnings are correct, we could see some catastrophic issues on Wednesday."

Despite hundreds of constituents going without power, the Northumberland MP has flown to the US.

In response to the criticism she has faced, Ms Trevelyan has maintained that she is ensuring that she stays “up to date” with the progress of Storms Arwen and Barra – and has claimed that she’s in contact with Northern Powergrid “at all times” while she’s in America.

She said: “I know some people experienced further outages over the weekend, but those I have spoken to seem to have power back again.

“If you are worried about friends and family, please ask them to get in touch either with Northumberland County Council or with my team. 

“We can arrange a welfare check. If you are not sure if your neighbour needs help, please go and check on them if you can.

“I continue to work with all parties to support those who continue to be impacted by Storm Arwen. 

“Northern Powergrid continue to work 24/7 to get residents back on - with over 2000 engineers from other parts of the UK helping. If you still do not have power please call 105 or the council’s hotline 0345 6006400 or my office on 01665 517512.” 

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