Lindsay Lohan responds after Tory MP claims Kettering council were unable to contact her to switch on Christmas lights

Lindsay Lohan (Getty)

Lindsay Lohan has said she will try to turn on the Christmas lights in Kettering after a Conservative MP claimed efforts made to secure the particularly high-profile guest appearance had proved unsuccessful.

Philip Hollobone MP told the BBC multiple efforts had been made to reach the Mean Girls actress to confirm she will switch on the lights in the town at the end of November.

The arrangement was initially made after Lohan emerged as a passionate Remainer while live-tweeting the results of the EU referendum. In one particularly memorable tweet she directed her frustration towards the town for voting to leave in a majority vote: “Sorry, but #KETTERING where are you?”

Kettering's MP Mr Hollobone was not pleased. He branded Lohan’s tweet “fierce and offensive”, accusing her of “slagging off” the town in Parliament. He also asked Chris Grayling to support his request for the actress to turn on the market town’s Christmas lights this year - an offer Lohan then appeared to accept.

But on Thursday, the MP told the BBC: “Despite everyone's best efforts, it’s simply not possible to track her down” and said the council’s attempts at securing her for the much-anticipated local event have been unsuccessful.

In response, a representative for the 30-year-old told The Independent: “We heard from the council for the first time late yesterday afternoon. Any claims from Phillip Hollobone that he tried to get in touch with her by official means are completely unfounded.

“Lindsay will be there if her schedule allows."

A spokesperson for the council clarified “efforts were made in the public arena” to contact Lohan but the limited resources available to the council meant they struggled to find the best official contact for her.

They confirmed contact was made on Thursday and apologised for the misunderstanding.

Mr Hollobone told The Independent it was “great news” that contact between the two parties had now been made. He said: “Everyone understands that Lindsay Lohan is a world famous actress and busy person […] clearly, if she makes time from her busy schedule to attend everyone in Kettering and across the UK would regard her as a really good sport”.