Boris Johnson has said the Conservatives face a “tough fight” to win the Hartlepool by-election.
During a rainy visit to a seafront fish and chip restaurant in the constituency, the Prime Minister was asked if he was concerned whether interest in his childcare arrangements or his flat refurbishment might affect the vote.
Mr Johnson said: “I have always believed that it was going to be a tough fight and I still believe that is the case.”
He hoped people would focus on the “massive opportunities” the Tories had brought by delivering on Brexit – a policy strongly backed by local people.