Green’s Dictionary of Slang

North Country compliment n.

[negative stereotyping of the north of England]

a gift that is neither desired by the recipient nor of any value to him or to the donor.

[UK]Sl. Dict. 238: To give or offer anything that is not wanted by either giver or receiver is to pass a north country compliment.
[UK]Farmer & Henley Sl. and Its Analogues.