THE deputy Prime Minister has backed Ribble Valley's MP Nigel Evans on his condemnation of shoplifting.

Mr Evans had slammed comments by Labour Leader Tony Blair, who had apparently condoned theft from shops from some sections of society such as single mums and pensioners.

And Michael Heseltine supported Mr Evans, saying that theft of this nature was highly damaging to all sizes of businesses and that comments such as Mr Blair's showed the gulf in attitudes between the two parties.

Mr Blair had made his comments while speaking to the British retail Consortium, but Mr Evans, who owns a retail business himself, was appalled by his comments.

During House of Commons questions to the Deputy Prime Minister's Department, Mr Evans accused the Labour Party of being soft on crime and soft on the causes of crime.

He added: "Shoplifting eats into the profits of all sizes of business and for those operating on the margins, it is a serious problem which could easily send them to the wall."

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