Rishi Sunak is branded ‘heartless’ after not stopping to talk to locals as he passed through heavily flooded village where tireless volunteers are working to save homes and businesses

• Rishi Sunak was travelling back from a visit to Bacton gas terminal on Monday
• His convoy passed through Potter Heigham, which has suffered severe flooding

The Prime Minister was branded ‘heartless’ today after he was accused of passing through a heavily flooded area without stopping to talk to locals.

Rishi Sunak was travelling back from a visit to Bacton gas terminal in north Norfolk when his convoy passed through Potter Heigham, which has been suffering its worst flooding in years.

Volunteers taking part in the battle to save homes and businesses from being deluged said they received a message telling them to make way for an ‘abnormal load’ – which turned out to be the Mr Sunak’s motorcade.

They complained there was ‘no way’ he could have missed the blanket of water covering miles of countryside and demanded to know why he ignored their plight.

Harry May, who sits on Potter Heigham Parish Council, said: ‘It would have been nice if he had stopped to see what a mess we’ve got into.

The Prime Minister (pictured National Gas Chief Executive Officer Jon Butterworth at the Bacton Gas Terminal on November 6) with  was branded ‘heartless’ today after he was accused of passing through a heavily flooded area without stopping to talk to locals

Mr Sunak’s convoy passed through Potter Heigham (pictured), which has been suffering its worst flooding in years

‘When he drove over the bridge, the marshes on either side were flooded. He wouldn’t have missed it because the fields are on both sides of the road. He only needed to look out of his window.’

North Norfolk district councillor Harry Blathwayt, who represents the village, said: ‘Our flood wardens, who have been working tirelessly, would really have appreciated him stopping. If he looked out of his window there’s no way he wouldn’t have known what was happening.

‘It would have been a morale booster for the guys who literally have been working day and night on our flood defences.’

A resident, who asked not to be named, added: ‘There’s never been anything like this [flooding] in all my life.

‘It’s flat round here but there were nine inches of water on the land in places.

‘It’s a bit heartless of him to pass through and not do anything. I’m sure he’s busy but still…’

Paul Rice, North Norfolk District Council’s senior flood water warden for the Potter Heigham catchment area and a former police officer, said: ‘He certainly did pass through our location. He would have been on the main road which had flooding on both sides.

‘It’s unprecedented. I’ve had people in their 70s and 80s saying they’ve never seen anything like it.’

Prime Minister visited the Bacton Gas Terminal in north Norfolk on Monday. Here, he is pictured with National Gas CEO Jon Butterworth

Harry May, who sits on Potter Heigham Parish Council, said: ‘It would have been nice if he had stopped to see what a mess we’ve got into.’

Volunteers taking part in the battle to save homes and businesses from being deluged said they received a message telling them to make way for an ‘abnormal load’ – which turned out to be the Mr Sunak’s motorcade. Pictured: Flooding around Potter Heigham

Mr Sunak passed through the area on Monday when the floodwaters were at their height, leaving some homes and businesses under water

 Villagers and volunteers joined forces to fight the floodwater with sandbags and pumps last week

Paul Rice, North Norfolk District Council’s senior flood water warden for the Potter Heigham catchment area and a former police officer, said Mr Sunak ‘certainly did pass through our location’

‘There was an ‘abnormal load’ coming and it delayed two or three people involved in emergency planning because of the blue lights convoy coming through.’

Villagers and volunteers joined forces to fight the floodwater with sandbags and pumps last week as heavy rain from Storm Ciaran coincided with high waters on the River Thurne.

Mr Blathwayt added plans had been mooted for a £100 million flood barrier at Great Yarmouth a few years ago which would have helped alleviate problems in Potter Heigham but nothing had come of them.

Mr Sunak passed through the area on Monday when the floodwaters were at their height, leaving some homes and businesses under water.

Agencies involved included the Water Management Alliance, Anglian Water, the Norfolk Police marine unit and Norfolk County Council.

The waters have since started to recede but remain high.

John Goldie, store manager at Lathams of Potter Heigham, a general store that managed to keep trading despite water pouring in from the back of its premises, said: ‘It’s hard work.’

The 10 Downing Street press office was contacted for a comment.

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