Jude Kirton-Darling MEP and Paul Brannen MEP have raised concerns about evidence given to their consultation about what the North East requires from Brexit negotiations. The event, held at the Centre for Life on Friday, was a public event to allow members of the public to ask their MEPs questions about Brexit and its implications for the future of the North East. It was raised that German students studying at a North East university have recently asked one of their tutors which pubs in Newcastle are safe to speak German in, after several recent incidents of hostility towards them on public transport. Figures recorded in August showed that the North East had the highest increase in hate crimes since the referendum vote, an increase of almost 110%, and incidents on public transport were a particular increase, with the British Transport Police recording a rise of 44%. Jude Kirton-Darling MEP said: “We have a reputation as a welcoming, warm people and I’m appalled that the reality for some coming to the North East has been the exact opposite. The North East should be a safe place for everyone to live, work and study, and the evidence we are seeing from our consultation is that this simply isn’t true. Prejudiced comments and public hatred do not represent the North East I know, and more must be done to combat the rise of bigotry on our streets, in workplaces and on public transport,” Paul Brannen MEP said: “It is very important that the North East does not become unwelcoming for foreign students, especially as EU students in the North East generate £82m a year for local economy”