CONSERVATIVE MP James Morris has accused a police boss of snubbing him and “sneaking” into Halesowen to discuss the closure of the town’s police station with Labour councillors.

Mr Morris, who is campaigning for the station to stay open, was furious to read in the News that West Midlands police and crime commissioner David Jamieson had been in town for the meeting.

He said: "Local people will be insulted to find that, despite campaigning by myself and Halesowen's Conservative councillors, the commissioner saw it necessary to sneak into Halesowen and meet with Labour councillors - without inviting anybody else to discuss his plans to close Halesowen Police Station.”

But police sergeant Debra Rowbotham and PCSO Sarah Whittall also met Mr Jamieson along with councillors Hilary Bills, Donella Russell, Ian Cooper and Dudley Council’s deputy leader Cllr Judy Foster.

Mr Jamieson told them the police station no longer played a part in modern policing and said the money saved would be invested in new technologies for officers.

Mr Jamieson is also hoping that officers will be able to share a council building – such as an office or the library – as a “hub” to maintain community links.

But Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP Mr Morris accused the Labour PCC of avoiding a debate with opponents of the closure, which is due to take place next January.

He said: “Many people will see through this cynical political manoeuvring by Mr Jamieson who continues to defend his plans, without any real debate."

Mr Morris added: "Throughout this whole process the commissioner has shown that he doesn't want to discuss the details on his proposals. “When I met with him last year we spoke about multi-use sites in Halesowen, but when he visited, he chose the safety of just meeting members of his own party."

A spokesman for Mr Jamieson said: “The PCC accepted a meeting to discuss potential options around placing police officers in council and community buildings.

“The PCC is more than happy to meet with anyone to discuss this matter, but a meeting will require a request to be made. James Morris simply needs to ask.

“Since an initial meeting with Mr Morris, there hasn't been a further request to discuss the issue from him. The PCC's door is always open.”