WIRRAL West MP Esther McVey came under fire after appearing to blame trade union firebrands for helping to inspire the rioters to take to the streets.

In an interview following the disturbances in Liverpool and elsewhere, the Conservative MP said "everybody will have to ask themselves questions".

And she added: "Parents, teachers, the media and politicians. Everyone needs to look at what they have been saying.

"We have heard union leaders and Opposition MPs, earlier this year, urging industrial action and what one said was 'a call to arms'. Words can be very powerful."

The comments were sharply criticised by Alison McGovern, Labour MP for neighbouring Wirral South, who said: "These are cheap, unhelpful remarks.

"The idea that incidents in Birkenhead and Merseyside were anything other than criminal vandalism is very wrong. If Conservative MPs think they can make political capital out of this horrible situation, they are much mistaken.

"Lessons will be learned about the long-term and short-term causes of these events. But those questions are for the future. Today, we need to back the police taking control, and help and support those affected."

Ms McVey could not be contacted yesterday, but her comments appeared to follow stark warnings about the impact of deep cuts in public spending.

For example, last year, Brendan Barber, Southport-born general secretary of the Trades Union Congress, said public anger would match that which greeted the Poll Tax, which culminated in violent demonstrations.