Young Tory leader apologizes for calling Birmingham a 'garbage dump'

Chief of Young Conservatives Network Apologized for his 'ill-conceived' comments about Birmingham after calling the city a 'garbage dump'.

Daniel Grainger, head of the Young Conservatives Network (YCN), sparked outrage after making disparaging remarks on Twitter about the second-largest city, which is currently hosting the party conference.

In a furious response, Andy Street, the Conservative Mayor of the West Midlands, told Grainger to " grow up" - urging him to get out of town and reflect on his remarks.

"Go ahead then, and take all like-minded people with you," Mr Street said. "Try to take some time to grow and understand why this city is so special while you're away."

Mr. Grainger apologized and deleted the post - which simply read 'Birmingham is a dumping ground' - saying he had been the victim of an attempted mugging earlier on Saturday.

In a later tweet , the young Tory leader wrote: "My tweet about Birmingham was not about the city or its people. I have always enjoyed my visits to your city, but this morning I was greeted by an individual who threatened me with 'an assault."

He added, "I was angry and thoughtlessly tweeted, I apologize for any offense caused. I would also like to apologize directly to [Andy Street], the [Conservatives] and other Birmingham representatives for my ill-advised comments."

Anxious to distance himself from the original tweet, the West Midlands Conservative Mayor added: "I am maybe a conservative, but I'm also a proud Brummie. I won't let anyone who has never lived or breathed this place try to put us down."

Birmingham Yardley Labor MP Jess Phillips was among those who scorned the sentiment of the initial tweet. "I see the Tories do their best to be liked," she said.

The pre-conference row comes amid wider divisions emerging within the Conservative Party, following the launch of the Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng's mini-budget a turbulent week in the markets.

In an article in the Daily Telegraph, Mr Kwarteng claimed he would lay out a "credible plan" to get public finances back on track with a "commitment to spending discipline".

Liz Truss has vowed she and the government will continue their borrowing-fueled tax-cutting spree. But she claimed she would keep "an iron grip" on national finances.

The economic plan was attacked by prominent Tory MPs who are appalled at the damage done to the party's electoral chances - with a poll showing Labor had an astonishing 33 point lead.

Simon Hoare, Conservative Committee Chairman Restricted Northern Ireland member called the mini-budget "foolish folly", while Peter Aldous, Conservative MP for Waveney, said the government's actions "almost seemed designed to provoke the markets".