The Tory MP who said food bank users 'can't cook properly' has been voted backbench MP of the Year by party members

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Members of the Conservative Party have crowned Lee Anderson 'backbencher of the year' after he said people only use food banks because they are unable to cook or budget "properly".

The Ashfield MP beat 180 other backbench MPs nominated by Tory voters for the accolade, securing 54 out of 553 votes in total.

The Conservative Party's annual survey saw former Prime Minister Boris Johnson win 35 votes, ex-Cabinet Minister Jacob Rees-Mogg wins 32, former Prime Minister Theresa May and MP John Redwood win 29 respectively, and Sir Graham Brady wins 22.

Mr. Anderson, a former Labor councilor who defected to the Conservative Party in 2018, is known for his often polarized views and clear speech.

During a debate in the House of Commons in May this year, Mr Anderson invited MPs to visit a food bank in his constituency to witness a "shining project" where those who receive food parcels must "sign up for a budgeting and cooking class". /p>

"We show them w to cook cheap, nutritious meals on a budget - we can make a meal for around 30p a day - and that's cooking from scratch," he said added.

But when pressed by a Labor MP if there must be a need for food banks in 21st century Britain, Mr Anderson replied: 'I personally invite you coming to Ashfield, look at our food bank, how it works.

"I think you go see firsthand that there is not this massive use of food banks in this country. We have generation after generation who can't cook properly, they can't cook a meal from scratch, they can't budget."

Addressing MPs, he added : "The challenge is here - come. You're sitting there with glassy expressions on your faces, looking at me like I've landed from another planet. Come to a real food bank that makes a real difference in people's lives.

His comments sparked widespread outrage and prompted then-Justice Minister Victoria Atkins to say they were 'not right' in a bid to distance themselves Mr. Anderson's government. The Red Wall MP also raised eyebrows earlier this year after launching a verbal tirade against an anti-Brexit agenda...