Former Manchester United star Gary Neville has launched a blistering attack on Conservative MP Lee Anderson after a heated exchange on social media. The row began when Neville criticised the government's handling of nurse pay during ITV's coverage of the World Cup final.
Neville said on ITV: 'We should detest low pay, we should detest poor accommodation and working conditions. We've got a current government in our own country who are demonising rail workers, ambulance workers and, terrifyingly, nurses.'
Anderson responded by posting Neville's comments on Twitter, accusing him of making a 'party political broadcast' and telling him to 'keep your nose out of politics'. Neville hit back, calling the Conservative Party 'the biggest set of charlatans to ever be in power'.
Anderson then challenged Neville to stand against him at the next election in Ashfield. Neville retorted: 'You voted to stop children eating school meals in a pandemic! That ends any debate you will ever enter with anyone!'
Neville, a Labour Party member, has previously ruled out a political career, saying he would 'get eaten alive' in Westminster. The exchange highlights ongoing tensions over the government's record on workers' rights and the Northern Powerhouse agenda.
