Labour MP slammed for wearing 'Never kissed a Tory' t-shirt at Manchester Pride

A Labour MP has been criticised on social media over her choice of t-shirt for Manchester Pride.

Lucy Powell, MP for Manchester Central, was one of thousands of people who attended the parade yesterday to celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.

But her outfit caused a stir on Twitter, with the MP wearing a red t-shirt with the words 'Never kissed a Tory' on the front, Manchester Evening News reports.

Sharing a picture of herself donning the t-shirt ahead of the first Manchester Pride parade for three years, Ms Powell said on Twitter: "Manchester Pride ready." While it is not the first time Labour members have worn the t-shirts during Pride events across the UK, it still evoked a strong response on Twitter.

Chris Clarkson, Heywood and Middleton's Conservative MP, said: "Puerile, divisive and completely against the spirit of inclusion that Pride is supposed to embody. Grow up."

The MP took to social media to show off her look before Manchester Pride (Twitter)

Sara Britcliffe, Conservative MP for Hyndburn and Haslingden, added: "And this is the problem. Creating an Us v them. Quite disgusting from a shadow minister. A difference of political belief should not result in hate."

John Haywood, a Labour councillor in Hampshire, said: "I know that having to shadow Nadine Dorries can do funny things to the best of us, but this does rather seem rather like an unforced error to me."

It wasn't just councillors and MPs who criticised the look. Twitter user @rob_w_r said: "Maybe let people kiss whoever they damn well please."

There was some support for the t-shirt, however, with Councillor Pat Karney, Manchester Council's city centre spokesperson, writing: "Always there for the LGBT Community in our City. And a good approach to life on your T."

Several Labour MPs and members were seen wearing the t-shirt at the event (Twitter)

And @ZippieSteve added: "If only the Tory's who are getting upset about a T-shirt were as upset about 12 years of gross systemic disability rights infringements there would be no need for the T-shirt in the first place."

Bury South MP Christian Wakeford, who crossed the floor from the Conservatives to Labour earlier this year, denied wearing the t-shirt during the parade after he was accused of doing so on Twitter.

Sharing a photo of himself in a simple red LGBT Labour t-shirt instead, he said: "For all the very bizarre and angry people in my mentions I didn’t have the t shirt on they all think. I’ve always been a proud ally of those who are LGBT regardless of political parties so turn it in and have a lie down."