Landlady Slams 'Tight-Fisted' Labour MP Over Starter-Only Meal and No Tip
The chef-owner of a highly-rated gastropub has publicly criticised a Labour MP she describes as 'tight-fisted', alleging he booked a table at her establishment, ordered only a starter, and departed without leaving a gratuity. Karen Errington, who runs The Rat Inn in the hamlet of Anick near Hexham, Northumberland, did not explicitly name the politician but made her grievances clear in a scathing account.
Details of the Alleged Incident
Mrs Errington recounted that the MP visited her restaurant, which is ranked eighth in the Estrella Damm Top 50 gastropubs this year. She observed that he 'didn't make eye contact or make any effort to inquire how business was' during his meal. According to her, his table opted for starters without proceeding to main courses, and at the conclusion of the service, no tip was provided. She quoted her grandmother's saying: 'Nix, naught, nowt' to emphasise the lack of generosity.
She added that as the MP left, she briefly considered offering him 'a few tips of my own' but instead smiled and thanked him politely. In her remarks, she also took a broader swipe at the government, stating: 'This Government is completely tone deaf. Beam me up, Scotty, there's no intelligent life down here.'
Impact on Country Pubs and Speculation
Mrs Errington linked the MP's behaviour to a wider trend affecting rural pubs, noting that ordering only starters is becoming more common, partly due to the 'weight-loss jab situation', which she believes threatens the viability of such establishments. She expressed concern about economic pressures, including the cost of fuel and potential rationing, warning that these factors could deter customers from driving to remote pubs.
Local and online speculation quickly identified the MP as Joe Morris, Hexham's first Labour MP in a century. In response, sources close to Mr Morris issued a rebuttal, claiming he dined at The Rat Inn with family members and that the total bill exceeded £150. They explained that no tip was left because they assumed a service charge was automatically included. The sources also noted that Mr Morris had previously contacted the pub to congratulate them on their Gastropub Awards recognition and expressed eagerness to visit.
Menu and Reputation of The Rat Inn
The Rat Inn, an 18th-century former drovers' rest stop, offers a range of dishes, with starters such as chicken liver pate for £13.95 and smoked mackerel fishcakes for £13.95. Main courses include a 200g dry aged fillet steak priced at £42 and a Chateaubriand for two at approximately £94. The pub has received positive reviews, including from leading restaurant critic Giles Coren, who described it in The Times as 'lovely' and praised its 'good, hearty, locally sourced, home-cooked food'. Coren coincidentally sat in the same seat as Mr Morris during his visit.
Further Criticisms and Labour Party Response
In a piece for The Morning Advertiser, Mrs Errington elaborated on her observations, claiming the MP was 'glued to his phone throughout the meal, looking at his Instagram account to see how many likes he had or probably Googling his own name'. She acknowledged feeling 'reckless' for writing her comments but defended her stance by highlighting the expectations of public conduct for elected officials, referencing recent news to underscore her point.
A Labour Party spokesman responded by affirming Mr Morris's support for British pubs and hospitality businesses in his constituency. The spokesman stated: 'Joe is doing all he can to work with the Labour Government to help ease the cost of living and pressure facing businesses.' They also emphasised that MPs are entitled to a private life, noting that on this occasion, Mr Morris was spending time with family rather than on official constituency duties. Mrs Errington has not responded to interview requests following the controversy.
