10/08/2009

Hazel Blears' Car Damaged In Manchester Attack

Salford MP Hazel Blears' car has been attacked while she canvassed for local support in Manchester.

The former cabinet minister's Citroen Xsara Picasso was left with a damaged front window and two slashed tyres following the incident near the junction of Cemetery Road and Eccles New Road in Weaste.

However, Ms Blears told the Manchester Evening News that the attack was not the work of disgruntled voters angry over her role in the expenses scandal.

She was criticised for avoiding a tax bill worth over £13,000 on the sale of a flat in London. However, she later repaid the money.

The Salford MP told the Manchester Evening News that she believed the incident was down to "teenagers with nothing to do on a hot afternoon".

She added: "This is just the actions of a tiny minority."

When asked by the newspaper if the attack was targeted at her, she responded: "I don't think so. It's a bit pathetic."

A Greater Manchester Police spokesman confirmed they were investigating the incident.

He said: "At about 6.25pm on Sunday police were called to Cemetary Road, Weaste, following a report that a car had been damaged.

"Between 5pm and 6.15pm, offenders had smashed the windscreen of a parked grey Citroen Xsara Picasso and slashed four tyres."

The spokesman added no-one was injured in the incident.

(JM/BMcC)

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