You're running away!

5:02pm Tuesday 29th April 2008

MP David Chaytor has accused the Tories of running away from public debates on crucial issues.

He demanded to know why the Conservatives failed to attend two recent all-party meetings at The Met, on the Lisbon Treaty and the environment.

"The public are entitled to ask what is going on," said the Labour backbencher. "I can understand that the leader of the council may have had a prior engagement. However, there is a deputy leader, an environment spokesman and 20 other Tory councillors. I simply can't believe that they were all unavailable."

Mr Chaytor will soon organise a debate on the controversial Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill, and will again invite the Tories. "If they refuse a third time, the people of Bury will be entitled to conclude that the Tories are treating the public with contempt."

But council leader Bob Bibby accused the Bury North MP of "playing little games" and said he was not going to join in.

"As far as Europe is concerned, I have no remit on that - my first concern is Bury, that's what I'm here for," he said.

"I had a clash of meetings for the environment meeting, so I sent a letter saying what our policies are. I didn't think it was appropriate or necessary to send someone else. What he wants, he doesn't always get."

As regards the next meeting: "I most certainly will not be there, and I'm not sending anyone from here either. What would I be trying to achieve? That's an issue for Parliament to decide. If he wants to discuss something so controversial, he can stand up in Westminster and say what he thinks."

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