Black Country Labour MP Ian Austin insisted Winston Churchill was "a real British hero" - after Labour Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell branded Britain's wartime leader a "villain".

Mr Austin, MP for Dudley North, was quick to speak out after Mr McDonnell made the controversial comment in an interview.

Mr McDonnell is the second most senior figure in the Labour Party after Jeremy Corbyn.

In an interview with website Politico, Mr McDonnell was asked:  “Winston Churchill — hero or villain?”

He replied: “Tonypandy. Villain.”

This is a reference to Churchill's perceived role in the Tonypandy riots of 1910, when the army was sent to deal with striking miners in the south Wales town. More than 580 people were injured in one night including 80 police officers, and one miner was killed.

Churchill was home secretary at the time and some people blame him, although historians disagree about whether or not he was responsible.

Mr Austin responded by publishing a photo of a small figurine of Churchill which he keeps on his mantelpiece.

A figurine of Sir Winston Churchill which MP Ian Austin keeps on his mantelpiece

And he said: "Look who takes pride of place on my mantelpiece in Dudley: a real British hero, the greatest ever Briton, the man who motivated Britain to defeat the Nazis and fight not just for our liberty but the world’s freedom too."

There was an angry response to Mr McDonnell's comments.

Tory MP Nicholas Soames , Churchill’s grandson, told the Telegraph newspaper: "Frankly it’s a very foolish and stupid thing to say.

"I think my grandfather’s reputation can withstand a publicity-seeking assault from a third-rate, Poundland Lenin."

Ian Austin MP in the House of Commons
Ian Austin MP in the House of Commons

But others defended Mr McDonnell.

Labour MP Steve Reed said: "My grandad hated him and wouldn’t hear his name spoken because he sent in troops to shoot striking miners."

Sir Winston Churchill was Prime Minister from 1940 to 1945, and again from 1951 to 1955.

He led the United Kingdom through most of the Second World War and is credited with convincing the nation to fight on following the German invasion of France, when it appeared that victory by Nazi Germany might be inevitable.

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell

He was also a believer in the British Empire and held views that would be considered deeply racist today.

Comments made in 1937 show he believed white Europeans were superior to other races. He said: "I do not admit for instance, that a great wrong has been done to the Red Indians of America or the black people of Australia.

"I do not admit that a wrong has been done to these people by the fact that a stronger race, a higher-grade race, a more worldly wise race to put it that way, has come in and taken their place."

Sir Winston Churchill, circa 1940
Sir Winston Churchill, circa 1940

But he is remembered by most for his contribution to saving the world from the evil tyranny of the Nazis. Sir Winston was voted the greatest ever Briton, beating the likes of  Shakespeare and Darwin, in a poll organised by the BBC in 2002.

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Winston Churchill: hero or villain?

The question posed to Mr McDonnell did not encourage him to give a lengthy or nuanced reply. He was asked to give brief answers to questions such as whether he preferred beer or wine and who he thought would win the League, as well as whether Sir Winston Churchill should be named hero or villain.