Lee Anderson refuses to apologise for migrant comment

       Conservative MP Lee Anderson was hailed as a hero on Friday after he stepped in to rescue a shopkeeper in his Ashfield constituency after an incident with a shoplifter turned violent.

       The Tory Deputy Chairman and former Labour councillor has made a point of regularly patrolling his "Red Wall" Nottinghamshire constituency looking for problems to help out his local voters.

       His intervention came just days after the government indicated that it expects police to take a tougher approach to shoplifting and burglaries.

       While normally he is dealing with potholes and other inconveniences, things turned nasty on Friday last week as he turned into Outram Street in Sutton and witnessed an attack on a shopkeeper.

       Matthew Shinto, who runs a shop in the road, had just caught a shoplifter and things were taking a turn for the worse. Later he took to Facebook to describe what happened.

       READ MORE: Criminals will now be forced to attend sentencing hearings following Letby case

       Lee Anderson has been described as a hero (Image: Getty)

       Mr Shinto wrote: "A big thanks to my friend and Lee Anderson MP

       "On Friday I was involved in a fracas on Outram Street after I caught a shoplifter in my shop. As the incident turned more violent and with several youths hanging round Lee came to my rescue.

       "He put him self between my attacker and me.

       "He made sure I was safe and that no more punches could land. He stayed with me until the police arrived and made a statement for me. Thanks Lee for helping me out."

       Don't miss...

       Trust in Sunak is collapsing as poll shows Tories heading to election disaster [REACT]

       'Post-Brexit boom plan' revealed promising massive ￡225bn boost to UK economy [REVEAL]

       Labour reshuffle has revealed that Brexit is not safe with Keir Starmer [INSIGHT]

       Rishi Sunak has promised a tougher approach to crime (Image: Getty)

       SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

       We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

       SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

       We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

       SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

       Mr Anderson explained: "I was sat in my constituency office after finishing my weekly surgery when I heard a commotion outside.

       "My caseworker shouted 'Its Mathew from the shop being attacked'. I left the office to go and help Mathew.

       "As I ran up to Mathew I noticed a gathering of youths who were just watching. The shop lifter punched Mathew as I got closer. I got between Mathew and the shoplifter to prevent him hitting Mathew again.

       "The shoplifter kept hurling abuse towards Mathew. I stayed with Mathew until the police arrived and made a statement."

       Mr Anderson's hands on approach to local law and order came in the wake of Mr Sunak warning police forces that "all crimes must be invesitgated".

       Ministers are concerned that crimes like shoplifting too often were being ignored by the police.

       Related articles Justice Secretary won't answer easy question four times in painful BBC interview Lee Anderson says Macron humiliation is 'proof voters were right about Brexit' 'Desperate' Remainers blasted after hijacking Proms with sea of EU flags Tearful TV legend Alastair Stewart reveals dementia diagnosis Ex-top civil servant admits telling colleagues that he voted Remain