AN MP from another constituency who made a number of slurs against Taunton has been rebuked by the Speaker in the House of Commons.

Bridgwater MP Ian Liddell-Grainger has been warned today (Thursday) he should have notified the Speaker John Bercow's office and Taunton Deane MP Rebecca Pow before launching into his tirade of insults about the county town in Parliament.

Mr Liddell-Grainger compared Taunton to the war-torn Syrian city of Aleppo and later described the town's "crime-ridden ghettoes" of Eastgate, Blackbrook and Holway".

His comments caused widespread outrage in Taunton, particularly in the wake of the County Gazette's #TalkupTaunton campaign.

Ms Pow bought the matter up in the Commons as a point of order without naming Mr Liddell-Grainger, but referring to his "unfounded and damaging allegations".

Somerset County Gazette:

Mr Bercow, who commended Ms Pow on her courtesy in informing him she was going to speak on the issue, warned MPs to be careful what they say about other constituencies.

He added that MPs should always inform other MPs if they intend to speak about the latter's constituency in the Commons.

Mr Bercow told them they should be careful how they use their privilege of free speech in Parliament.

Contacted by the County Gazette, Mr Liddell-Grainger said his office normally contacts Ms Pow if he plans to speak about her constituency, although he is unaware if that has happened on the recent occasions.

He added that he feels at liberty to talk about Taunton as Taunton Deane Borough Council is about to merge with West Somerset Council, which is part of his constituency.

He said: "Notice is a convention, not a necessity.

"This will not stop me standing up for my constituents.

"She (Ms Pow) can make as many points of order as she likes.

"Taunton has had a catalogue of failures for 20 years now. The leadership has failed at every level."