THE leader of Wyre Forest District Council has launched a furious attack on MP David Lock over comments he made in a letter to local Labour Party members.

Mr Lock claims his contacts among Kidderminster Hospital staff have been embarrassed by campaign efforts and just wanted to get on with changes.

But the comments have infuriated Councillor Mike Oborski, who denounced them as "utterly shameful and disgraceful".

"People are furious about what's happening to our hospital," added Coun Oborski.

"Mr Lock has lost the confidence of the public and his position as MP for Wyre Forest is totally untenable."

But Mr Lock accused Coun Oborski of scaremongering and said the leader had done nothing to support hospital staff.

"This sort of scaremongering by parish politicians who've not done anything to support the hospital other than issue scare stories is a disgrace," said Mr Lock.

Mr Lock was today chairing a meeting between consultants and GPs to discuss concerns about the proposed changes.

Malcolm Cooper, vice-chairman of Save Kidderminster Hospital, denied staff were embarrassed by the campaigners. "I've not had anyone speak to me in anything other than supportive tones," he said.