Boris Johnson has slapped down a Tory peer who suggested that people from Yorkshire were “leftist whingers begging for handouts”.
Lord Moylan sparked controversy when he made the remark on Twitter.
In response, James Mitchinson, the editor of the Yorkshire Post, said: “You’ll find folks thoroughly fed up with sneering politicians who think they’re better than us and an awful lot of people who cannot stand liars and charlatans.
“It isn’t about right and left for us, m’Lord. It’s about right and wrong. Enjoy your stay. You are most welcome.”
Asked whether the prime minister agreed with Lord Moylan, a spokesman for Johnson said: “We would certainly not agree with that categorisation, no.”
The controversy is particularly embarrassing for the PM as he seeks to move on from the partygate scandal which threatens his job.
With parliament in recess, he is conducting a mini-tour of the UK to promote the government’s levelling-up agenda.