Tories can’t afford to send me to Belfast, says shadow Northern Ireland secretary

Alex Burghart blamed a post-election reorganisation for the problem which meant it had been difficult to free up travel funds

The shadow Northern Ireland secretary has admitted he has not yet visited the country since he took up the role, claiming the Conservative Party could not afford to send him.
Alex Burghart, the Conservative MP for Brentwood and Ongar, was appointed to the position four months ago but has so far failed to make a single visit to Northern Ireland.
He blamed a post-election reorganisation within his party for the problem, which meant it had been difficult to free up travel funds.
Speaking to BBC Radio Ulster on Friday morning, Mr Burghart said “getting the funding for trips” had “not been as easy” since the general election.
“We’re in a situation, obviously, following the general election where everything, including the running of Conservative Party Central Office, is in flux,” he said.
“So getting the funding for trips has not been as easy as I would like, but I’ve spoken to a great many people in Westminster and on the phone.”
Asked if he could “not be bothered” to visit, he said: “I very, very much wanted to come and if I had the money to do so I absolutely would have done so.”
Mr Burghart insisted he had visited Belfast on many occasions in previous roles in government and he was “very much engaged” with the role, saying: “I’ve spoken to a huge number of people and I’ve been involved with politicians at all levels, businesses at all levels, and people throughout the community.”
Further asked if he thought people could take his views on the region seriously in the absence of a visit, he replied: “I speak to people in Northern Ireland every day.
“Have done in this job.
“I’ve also held several posts in Westminster previously where I’ve made very, very frequent trips to Belfast.”
Rupert Lowe, a Reform MP, dismissed the defence, saying: “Once again, what the Tories tell us just isn’t adding up.
“Northern Ireland was sold down the river during Brexit negotiations by the Tories and now they can’t be bothered to even visit.
“Politics is about priorities, and the Tories have got them seriously mixed up.”
Mr Burghart’s comments come on the eve of the announcement of who will replace Rishi Sunak as Tory party leader.
The winner will be announced on Saturday morning, nearly four months after the beginning of the contest – which kicked off after the Tories suffered their crushing election defeat in July.
Mr Burghart said he was endorsing Kemi Badenoch because she’s a “problem solver”.
Mr Burghart and the Conservative party were reached for comment.