BRIDGWATER and West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger launched an extraordinary attack on the upcoming merger between West Somerset District and Taunton Deane Borough Councils in Parliament.

The Conservative MP used parliamentary privilege to unleash a host of accusations against Taunton Deane and its leader Cllr John Williams.

Mr Liddell-Grainger said West Somerset had been 'lured, rather like a prostitute into a strange house' into a deal with Taunton Deane, and said he believed that TDBC just wanted to get its 'greedy hands' on business rates that would ultimately come from Hinkley C power station.

Speaking at Parliament's Christmas Adjournment debate on Tuesday afternoon Mr Liddell-Grainger said: "My little council may be on the verge of bankruptcy today, but in 20 years when Hinkley comes on line and produces electricity, it will become seriously rich.

"There is nothing like the prospect of gold, as Judas would say, to bring out the green streak in neighbouring town halls."

Mr Liddell-Grainger then went on to castigate TDBC leader John Williams with a barrage of criticism, nicknaming him 'Emperor John' and saying he 'rules with an iron grip and mainly by foul means'.

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He said Cllr Williams' 'henchman moved in like the Mafia' when West Somerset first appeared in financial trouble and said the merger would 'spell the end of local democracy'.

"In my opinion West Somerset is trapped in an unfair partnership with an ineffective, overstretched and financially dodgy council," Mr Liddell-Grainger said.

"In July, Taunton Deane Council approved the merger. That decision has now led to a legal challenge by a number of Taunton Deane’s councillors who insist that they were not told the truth," Mr Liddell-Grainger said.

"The legal challenge is powerful and, I can assure the House, is already causing the emperor and his team considerable anxiety. I am not surprised, because this time he has gone too far."

Mr Liddell-Grainger was scathing about the website that has been set up for consultation regarding the merger "The questionnaire asked me just about everything, from my favourite colour to my inside leg measurement, but at no point have I been invited to provide my name and address, even though it is a consultation in two councils, so anybody could respond. It is a consultation sham designed to be abused, and it was ordered and approved by a council that claims to be democratic."

"My constituents will not have the wool pulled over their eyes. They can smell a rat, and they know what one looks like, and I am sure they will reject this half-baked merger scheme. They want to keep their council—and so they should."

Following his speech the Labour MP for the City of Chester Christian Matheson said: "Should fate ever somehow decree that I end up as a member of a council in Somerset, I shall make it my absolute priority to stay on the right side of the hon. Member for Bridgwater and West Somerset."

West Somerset Council leader Cllr Anthony Trollope-Bellew and Taunton Deane Borough Council leader Cllr Williams released a joint response.

"We do not intend to respond to the more colourful accusations made by the MP save to say they are strongly refuted, ignore the central facts and go far beyond fair comment under the cloak of parliamentary privilege."

Cllr John Williams said: “I do not intend to dignify Mr Liddell-Grainger’s frankly preposterous claims with a lengthy response.

"It is clear from his words and personal attacks that he is prepared to say anything in an attempt to undermine the process underway at present to determine whether a new single council should be created. I am only sad that he has felt it appropriate resort to public insults.

“I would urge those wishing to have their say on our proposal for a new single council to do so. We are consulting widely, in both Council areas, and there are a number of ways to get involved.”

Cllr Anthony Trollope-Bellew, leader of West Somerset Council, said: "I totally disassociate myself from Ian Liddell-Grainger's remarks. TDBC and Cllr John Williams have been good friends to WSC.

"Without the partnership with TDBC services to the people of West Somerset would have to been severely cut by now.

"In the future a new council covering Taunton Deane and West Somerset is the best hope of continuing to delivering an acceptable level of services in these times of reduced Central Government funding."

In their joint response the leaders said it is essential that the public understands the 'basic facts'.

The response reads: "West Somerset is too small to be viable in the current climate of massive pressures on local government finances. This is irrespective of any future income from Hinkley Point C."

"The status quo is, therefore, not an option. The Secretary of State and all involved recognise this. The MP appears to have missed this basic concept.

"West Somerset Council decided to progress matters with Taunton Deane Borough Council, not Sedgemoor District Council. It’s impossible to say this is a hostile takeover.

"The proposal for a single council was carried by a significant majority by both councils independently. They decided the merger was in the best interests of both communities.

"In the context of severe budget pressure, the Business Case demonstrates the proposals can deliver multi-million pound annual savings, thus protecting local services.

"No-one is pretending it will be easy but the alternatives are much worse because they would not deliver the necessary savings and therefore not protect public services."