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Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell was in Merseyside today - and responded to being labelled as ‘truly evil’ over comments he used relating to former Wirral MP Esther McVey.

Mr McDonnell, who is from Liverpool, infamously repeated a joke made by another Labour member which suggested that Ms McVey should be “lynched” - a phrase which usually refers to public executions.

Mr McDonell has always maintained that the comments were not his and merely a repetition of what a fellow member had said - and today he told the ECHO he didn’t agree with such sentiments.

But he said it was important to understand the level of anger people have towards the Conservatives and towards Tatton MP Ms McVey over her treatment of disabled people in the past.

He said the recent move by Prime Minister Theresa May to promote the controversial former television presenter to the head of the Department of Work and Pensions had caused a lot of shock and disappointment.

Backing the words of Walton MP Dan Carden , who said the move would “strike fear into the hearts of the vulnerable”, the shadow chancellor told the ECHO: “Same as Dan - I was really disappointed.

(Image: PA)

He added: “I had disability groups contact me and say that they could not believe that Theresa May had done this, based on statements that Esther McVey had made about disabled people and the policies she implemented last time around - so I think people are pretty shocked.”

Asked if he regretted his previous comments, he said: “I attended a meeting at a constituency and reported what was shouted out at the time.

“I actually made a statement in Parliament at the time, saying that I don’t agree with these things but we need to understand the strength of feeling of some people.

He added: “I don’t think the Conservatives fully understand the human suffering that they implemented and are implementing for disabled people.”

Mr McDonell was in Merseyside today to meet with Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram and support his plans for a new Mersey tidal energy project.

Speaking about the project, Mr McDonnell said: “The future economic prosperity of this country is dependent on ensuring that we have the right infrastructure in place to ensure economic growth, which is why we have pledged to set up a National Investment Bank.“Listening to Steve’s exciting plans to harness the power of the River Mersey to drive sustainable growth for city region it is clear that this is exactly the type of project that the National Investment Bank should be supporting.”

Mayor Rotheram added: “Here in the Liverpool City Region we have tremendous assets, including the River Mersey, which make us uniquely well-placed to become a world-leader in the field of sustainable energy.”