Nineties band M People 'livid' their song was used in PM's conference speech

M People founder Mike Pickering has said the band is “livid” that their song was used by Liz Truss on stage at the Tory party conference.

The prime minister walked up to the podium to their 1990s hit Moving On Up, which features vocalist Heather Small, ahead of delivering her keynote speech.

Mr Pickering said: “They (the band) are livid. Heather’s boy James is a Labour councillor. Hopefully, most people will know that they have pirated it off us.

“She won’t be around to use it again for very long. I would imagine.”

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The same song was previously used by Tony Blair and Labour in the 1990s.

Mr Pickering said the band had contacted their lawyers but been advised there was little that could be done.

“I am absolutely gutted by it because they are killing the live touring of bands and artists… I am Mancunian and getting from Manchester to London these days is harder than getting on to continental…