Rival city MPs dragged into Keyham saga

BOMB DISPOSAL AFTERMATH BECOMES POLITICAL ISSUE

- CARL EVE

THREE weeks on from the first reports of a World War Two bomb which could have destroyed homes in Keyham, arguments over damage to neighbouring homes are continuing with Conservative MP Johnny Mercer now wading into the row.

Bomb disposal experts were able to remove the 500kg ordnance from the back yard of a home in St Michael Avenue, and it was driven through Plymouth with evacuations along the route and detonated out at sea.

While their homes were saved, residents of some properties in the Keyham street said they were left in shock at the damage they discovered, on returning to their properties. Martyn Hammond said he was unable to replace the garden he had built up over the eight years since he moved into the house, claiming it would cost him around £10,000 to get it back to its original state.

Another neighbouring resident, Olivia, said her garden wall had been reduced to rubble, her decking and pergola were smashed up, and even a rose bush bought by her late mother-in-law was destroyed.

While both stressed they were grateful to the Army for saving their homes, and that Plymouth City Council had been supportive, they were still left with damage to repair, potential insurance claims and legal wrangles through no fault of their own.

Residents on all sides have now been pulled into a political row, as Mr Mercer, the MP for Plymouth Moor View, took to social media to criticise Luke Pollard, Labour MP for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, for not visiting the residents, and adding "don't just poke a leaflet through asking them to vote Labour, like you did on Saturday".