Newcastle United appeared to suggest the club had been misled into allowing the filming of a campaign video by Tory leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick at St James’ Park.

The Conservative leadership contender posted a video to social media on Thursday (August 29) in which former NUFC owner Sir John Hall backs him for leader, while showing the MP around the stadium.

The clip shows Sir John and Mr Jenrick walking around the home changing room, up the tunnel, and chatting in the dugout.

The video shows Robert Jenrick looking around the newly-refurbished home changing room.The video shows Robert Jenrick looking around the newly-refurbished home changing room. (Image: X/@ROBERTJENRICK)

It sparked fury among some toon fans questioning why the club had allowed a political campaign video to be filmed at St James'.

But club comms director Lee Marshall said in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) that Newcastle United had been told Sir John wanted to film a biographical piece on his own life and that the club had not approved the video.

He said: “This was not approved by anyone connected with Newcastle United.

“The club was told Sir John wished to film a biographical piece on his own life.”

Jenrick and Sir John walking towards the tunnel at St James' Park.Jenrick and Sir John walking towards the tunnel at St James' Park. (Image: X/@ROBERTJENRICK)

Meanwhile, Sir John's team said he had filmed at the ground for his life story previously but said this was on a separate occasion to what they described as a meeting arranged by local Tories at St James'.

A spokesperson for Sir John Hall said: "Sir John had absolutely nothing to do with the arrangements for the meeting with Robert Jenrick at St James' Park. Those arrangements were made between the local conservative association and St James' Park directly.  Sir John was simply asked to attend.

"Separate to this occasion, Sir John arranged with the club to film part of his life story at St. James Park, which they kindly allowed him to do and took place on July 17.

"These are two completely separate occasions and in no way connected."

Meanwhile, Mr Jenrick's spokesperson added: “Robert was up in the North East and was keen to meet Sir John for a brief engagement.

“The meeting was arranged at a place of convenience by their respective teams.”

In the video, Sir John, says: “I’m basically concerned for the culture of our nation and the way it’s going. In the coming leadership election, I would hope people like yourselves will come with another message.”

It comes months after the 92-year-old businessman, a long-time Tory donor and owner of Wynyard Hall, came out to back Nigel Farage’s Reform UK at the General Election.

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The pair appeared together at an event In Houghton-le-Spring in June with Sir John saying he was a “disillusioned Conservative supporter”.

Sir John Hall at a Reform UK event in June.Sir John Hall at a Reform UK event in June. (Image: Picture: THE NORTHERN ECHO)

He told reporters: “I just feel that they have let me down. They have let me down from the point of view of my culture.”

Reform UK came second in 18 of the 28 seats across the North East at the Election on July 4.