THE former Conservative MP for Northwich has been criticised after claiming he didn't need the heating on in his house because he was a 'hot-blooded male', but that his female family members did.

Graham Evans, who represented Weaver Vale between 2010-17, made the comments on the BBC's Politics North West programme during a debate on fuel poverty, with current Northwich MP Mike Amesbury later branding them 'an insult to women'.

During Sunday's show, Mr Evans said that keeping heating to a minimum was a way to save energy and that he himself found it not to be a problem because he was a 'hot blooded male'.

Mr Evans - who is rumoured to be in line for a seat in the House of Lords - told the show's presenter Annabel Tiffin:  “Personally, I’m a hot blooded male, females in my house like to have the heating on. Try and keep the heating down as humanly possible."

He later said he was being 'flippant' and added: "In all seriousness, that’s why the government has supported heating bills as far as they can but I’m not trying to disguise it’s going to be a very, very tricky winter.”

Labour councillor Oliver Ryan, who appeared on the show alongside him, looked visibly aghast at the comment.

Mike Amesbury, who is the current Labour MP for Weaver Vale, later Tweeted: “Incredible, my constituents in Weaver Vale are anxious with many struggling to pay energy bills.

“To hear the former Tory MP for Weaver Vale peddle this nonsense is an insult to women and families trying to make ends meet.”

Reports before the weekend suggested My Evans is shortly to be made a Conservative peer in the House of Lords, although this is yet to be officially confirmed.

Mr Evans represented Weaver Vale in the Commons from 2010-2017,. He was elected at the 2010 general election for the Conservatives with an 8.1% swing, replacing Labour's Mike Hall. He retained his seat in 2015 but lost his seat in the snap general election two years later to current incumbent Mike Amesbury.