MP's wild claims put post office in jeopardy

10.59.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 3rd Apr 2008

Islington South & Finsbury's Labour MP has today come under fierce attack from Post Office chiefs about her role in the campaign to save Essex Road post office.

Labour MPs have been criticised for voting in favour of the Government's post office closure plans

In a letter sent yesterday, the Post Office's Network Director slams the MP for leaking a confidential email and takes issues with the wild claims the MP has made. The letter also confirms that the Liberal Democrats raised all the issues the MP is now taking credit for in a meeting with the Post Office on 18th March - before the MP's meeting.

The letter says:

• "…the emphasis/interpretation which appeared in the press is…misleading."

• "…my email does not refer to 'saving' the Essex Road Crown Post Office."

• "We had agreed in the meeting that all discussions would be confidential."

• "[As regards an] Agreement to keep open three counters in Essex Road - this is completely incorrect."

• "We are not in a position to take any decisions until the end of the consultation process."

Islington Liberal Democrats have also asked for written confirmation of a statement made by Post Office Ltd at the last meeting of the South Area Committee on 11th March that the closure of the Essex Road post office has nothing to do with the Council lease. Labour has also been caught out repeating this untruth in public.

Councillor Terry Stacy, Liberal Democrat Executive Member for Housing & Communities, said:

"Emily Thornberry's wild claims about saving Essex Road post office appear to be falling apart by the minute. But in her desperation, she has twisted the truth to make herself look good and now she has been caught out by the Post Office.

"Now we are faced with a situation where she might have jeopardised any chance to save it - all because she couldn't keep her mouth shut.

"All this hype is a smokescreen to hide her votes in Parliament to keep closing post offices and how she has said she doesn't care about the sub-post offices in Caledonian Road and on the borders of Islington closing.

"Liberal Democrats are continuing to meet Post Office bosses and the fight for Essex Road post office goes on."