Brexit-backing Labour MP Kate Hoey sparks row with 'Orwellian' BBC criticism

Brexit-backing Labour MP Kate Hoey has sparked a row after accusing the BBC of "undermining our country" with its coverage of the EU.

The Eurosceptic faced a backlash from within her own party after singling out Newsnight presenter Evan Davis for criticism over the BBC's coverage.

She tweeted: "Does anyone else think that @BBCNewsnight and @EvanHD seem to delight in undermining our country in EU negotiations #embitteredremainers”

But her comments triggered a row, with Remain supporting Labour MP Wes Streeting calling her criticism "Orwellian".

Vauxhall MP Ms Hoey, who campaigned alongside Boris Johnson and Nigel Farage for Britain to leave the EU, has repeatedly been accused of defying her constituents' views with her EU stance. Her seat is in one of the most fervently Remain areas of the country.

Her fellow Labour MP, Mr Streeting, said: "The idea that broadcasters should simply act as cheerleaders for the government in Brexit negotiations is frankly Orwellian.

“Even leading lights of the Leave campaign like Dominic Cummings believe that the Government are making a complete pig's ear of Brexit."

After Ms Hoey won back her seat in June, she controversially snubbed her Liberal Democrat opponent by refusing to shake his hand and accused journalist George Turner of running a “nasty, dirty” campaign.

Today Lib Dem Brexit spokesman Tom Brake said: “Kate Hoey is a belligerent Brexiter for the heavily remain seat of Vauxhall.”

The MP for Carshalton added: “Having been exposed as charlatans the extreme Brexiters are trying to bully the broadcasters into ignoring the facts.”

Many people on social media also criticised the pro-Brexit MP’s choice of language.