MP accused of being ‘alarmist’ over claims that York businesses were ‘4m underwater’
York Central MP Rachael Maskell has been accused of being ‘alarmist’ and ‘misleading’ after she told the Commons that York businesses were four metres underwater.
During a debate about the floods on Monday (December 7), Ms Maskell asked Environment Secretary Liz Truss:
This is the second flooding they have had within a month. Will the Secretary of State ensure that basics like sandbags and pumps are available free for businesses, because they pay a heavy price when flooding occurs?
Her intervention was broadcast on BBC Radio 4 during the Today programme on Tuesday (December 8).
But the Labour MP was accused of exaggerating the effects of the floods in York – and detracting from the areas badly hit.
Cllr Stuart Rawlings, the Conservative deputy group leader on City of York Council, said that these claims were “inaccurate and unhelpful to York traders in the run up to Christmas”.
He toured the city with the multi-agency York Flood Group on Monday and said the rising waters did indeed peak at 4.3 metres.
Cllr Rawlings said the measures taken by the council flood team and others were “extremely impressive”. “Fortunately flooding was limited to the usual areas affected when the Ouse overruns its banks and places such as St George’s Field were closed as a matter of course.”
He added:
Rachael Maskell’s alarmist comments on the floor of the House of Commons and broadcast on the BBC were therefore sending out exactly the wrong message at a time when businesses in York depend on increased footfall during the Christmas shopping period.
Her remarks also served to detract attention from areas of the country such as Cumbria which are truly suffering.
Perhaps next time she comments on York she will check her sources on the accuracy of her comments.
“York is indeed open for business and we wish all traders a very successful Christmas season,” said Cllr Rawlings.
‘Traders clearly upset’
But Ms Maskell hit back at the claims. She said:
Some had their cellars flooded and others were concerned that the contaminated flood water would prevent them from serving food and drink in the run up to Christmas.
This is one of their busiest times and they were clearly upset.
The MP acknowledged “all the hard work that the council, the Environment Agency and others are doing to help.
“However, some business owners told me that they had to pay for sandbags and pumps.”
She added:
We all need to pull together when the city is hit by flooding, it is not a time for political point scoring.
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