Thousands of her constituents will be affected by closure of Central Middlesex Hospital’s casualty unit

A Brent MP has been criticised for failing to show up at a parliamentary debate on hospitals despite the imminent closure of a casualty department used by thousands of her constituents.

Sarah Teather, Liberal Democrat MP for Brent Central, has been attacked by a political rival for missing the discussions while publicly condemning the decision to strip Central Middlesex Hospital (CMH) of its Accident & Emergency unit.

Barry Gardiner, Labour MP for Brent North, who attended the debate spoke out against the closures.

Labour councillor Krupesh Hirani, who is Brent Council’s lead member for adults and health, labelled Miss Teather’s actions “galling”.

He said: “I understand that a minister’s diary can be demanding but it is disappointing that Sarah Teather was not at the parliamentary debate on local hospitals; especially when it is such a critical issue to local people.”

Miss Teather declined to comment on the issue but a spokesman for her office said: “Government ministers can only speak in Parliament on matters that fall within their ministerial remit.”

He added that ministers have to raise their constituents’ concerns in other ways such as corresponding with the relevant minister or arranging a meeting and that Miss Teather raises constituency matters on a regular basis.

The hospital, in Acton Lane, Park Royal, would lose its A&E despite undergoing a �62million revamp just six years ago.