"But I think many parts of our society no longer know how to bring up children. We live in a country where in many places Frank Gallagher style parenting has become the norm and not the exception. Frank's kids might have turned out alright but that was more luck than good judgement - and no thanks to him."
Chris Grayling, Speech delivered on 14 May 2008

"The Wire used to be just a work of fiction for British viewers. But under this Government, in many parts of British cities, The Wire has become a part of real life in this country too."
Chris Grayling, The Times, 25 August 2009

Here is what Phil Woolas and Alan Johnson are saying:

North West Regional Minister Phil Woolas said:

"I am outraged that for the sake of a few headlines this southern MP has compared Moss Side and parts of Liverpool to the gun-crime capital of America.

"It is total nonsense for the Tories to suggest that these areas are like The Wire, where hundreds of people are shot dead in gang warfare every year.

"We know the Tories will say anything to get a few votes but this kind of sensationalism is offensive and damaging to people in the North West.

"David Cameron needs to make sure that Chris Grayling takes a break from his TV watching to apologise to the people of Moss Side and Liverpool for his unacceptable comments."

Labour's Home Secretary Alan Johnson MP added:

"Chris Grayling should be praising the police for continued reduction in gun-related offences, rather than talking Britain down.

"The connection between The Wire and Chris Grayling's grasp on the problems of modern Britain is that they're both fictional.

"The serious problems being tackled in our communities will not be diminished by his embarrassing habit of making glib references to television programmes that he thinks will make him sound 'cool'."