This is Leicestershire --
MPs have backed the Leicester Mercury campaign to keep the remains of Richard III in Leicester.
Leicester East MP Keith Vaz, Harborough MP Sir Edward Garnier, Leicester South MP Jon Ashworth, Loughborough MP Nicky Morgan and Bosworth MP David Tredinnick have all joined the fight for the king's body to be reinterred in Leicester Cathedral.
The campaign comes after a court ruling cast doubt on where the bones will be reinterred.
A judicial review was granted after an application was made by the Plantagenet Alliance, who want the king buried in York.
We are asking people to sign an e-petition calling for Richard's resting place to be Leicester. It has so far gathered almost 14,000 signatures.
There is also a paper petition which people with no access to a computer can sign.
Mr Vaz, who has been out on the streets getting people to put their name to the campaign, said: "I think the Mercury's campaign is a fine one and needs to be signed by as many people as possible to show York that we are not giving up the fight.
"I'll be doing everything I can to encourage my constituents to sign up and keep the royal remains in Leicester, where they belong."
Among those who have signed the petition is 54-year-old Harjinder Singh, from Humberstone.
He said: "I think because he was buried in Leicester he should be kept in Leicester."
Another signatory, Diane Cank, 59, also from Humberstone, said: "For the past 500 years he has been buried here in Leicester and it's only because of Leicester archaeologists that we've found him.
"Why would we move him anywhere else? He's been messed about too much already."
Sir Edward's previous role as Solicitor General involved advising the Crown and Cabinet on matters of law and he urged the Plantagenet Alliance to drop its court case
He said: "Litigating about the matter and then transporting these bones to York is undignified. His bones are not some prize to be competed for.
"I urge the Plantagenet Alliance to withdraw their case and leave the poor dead king alone."
Mr Tredinnick said: "I do not believe that York's claims on Northamptonshire-born Richard are as strong as asserted by those who wish to take the remains north.
"Richard III died in Leicestershire, was buried in Leicester and it was the skill and determination of academics at the University of Leicester that found his long-lost grave."
Ms Morgan said: "Not only has Leicester quietly provided a resting place for Richard III's bones for all these years, it was the University of Leicester which identified the bones were those of the last English king to die in battle and we can all see the importance of the discovery to our city and county economy.
"It strikes me York is rather late to the party and have suddenly realised what they may be missing out on – too bad for them."
Mr Ashworth said: "The remains were exhumed in line with the Ministry of Justice licence and the plan to reinter them is also in line with the same legal document.
"I wholeheartedly support the Mercury campaign to keep the king in Leicester – it is the right thing to do." Reported by This is 7 hours ago.
MPs have backed the Leicester Mercury campaign to keep the remains of Richard III in Leicester.
Leicester East MP Keith Vaz, Harborough MP Sir Edward Garnier, Leicester South MP Jon Ashworth, Loughborough MP Nicky Morgan and Bosworth MP David Tredinnick have all joined the fight for the king's body to be reinterred in Leicester Cathedral.
The campaign comes after a court ruling cast doubt on where the bones will be reinterred.
A judicial review was granted after an application was made by the Plantagenet Alliance, who want the king buried in York.
We are asking people to sign an e-petition calling for Richard's resting place to be Leicester. It has so far gathered almost 14,000 signatures.
There is also a paper petition which people with no access to a computer can sign.
Mr Vaz, who has been out on the streets getting people to put their name to the campaign, said: "I think the Mercury's campaign is a fine one and needs to be signed by as many people as possible to show York that we are not giving up the fight.
"I'll be doing everything I can to encourage my constituents to sign up and keep the royal remains in Leicester, where they belong."
Among those who have signed the petition is 54-year-old Harjinder Singh, from Humberstone.
He said: "I think because he was buried in Leicester he should be kept in Leicester."
Another signatory, Diane Cank, 59, also from Humberstone, said: "For the past 500 years he has been buried here in Leicester and it's only because of Leicester archaeologists that we've found him.
"Why would we move him anywhere else? He's been messed about too much already."
Sir Edward's previous role as Solicitor General involved advising the Crown and Cabinet on matters of law and he urged the Plantagenet Alliance to drop its court case
He said: "Litigating about the matter and then transporting these bones to York is undignified. His bones are not some prize to be competed for.
"I urge the Plantagenet Alliance to withdraw their case and leave the poor dead king alone."
Mr Tredinnick said: "I do not believe that York's claims on Northamptonshire-born Richard are as strong as asserted by those who wish to take the remains north.
"Richard III died in Leicestershire, was buried in Leicester and it was the skill and determination of academics at the University of Leicester that found his long-lost grave."
Ms Morgan said: "Not only has Leicester quietly provided a resting place for Richard III's bones for all these years, it was the University of Leicester which identified the bones were those of the last English king to die in battle and we can all see the importance of the discovery to our city and county economy.
"It strikes me York is rather late to the party and have suddenly realised what they may be missing out on – too bad for them."
Mr Ashworth said: "The remains were exhumed in line with the Ministry of Justice licence and the plan to reinter them is also in line with the same legal document.
"I wholeheartedly support the Mercury campaign to keep the king in Leicester – it is the right thing to do." Reported by This is 7 hours ago.