LABOUR MP Ian Lavery showed solidarity with campaigners The Magpie Group and told Newcastle fans to not “give up” in their continued fight to rid the club of Mike Ashley.

Speaking at the Durham Miners’ Gala over the weekend, Lavery backed the fans’ boycott of the club and told them: “If we don’t hit Mike Ashley in the backside pocket, this will continue.”

With no manager at the helm, Rafa Benitez walked away at the expiry of his contract when it became apparent that “the club did not share the same vision,” and with key players being sold without being replaced, supporters are preparing industrial action in the latest attempt to force Ashley to leave.