DR Richard Taylor has spoken of his disappointment at the Commons Health Select Committee clearing the Government policy of cutting beds.

The Wyre Forest MP was also dismayed the committee, of which he is a member, attacked the work of a University College London research unit which criticised the private finance initiative.

Dr Taylor was elected in protest against the downgrading of Kidderminster Hospital, under PFI, which uses the private sector to build hospitals.

He said the committee decision to include the criticism in its analysis of PFI was a result of Labour MPs "hijacking" the vote.

Its critique of UCL was included in the final report after three Labour members voted for it against the wishes of the Labour chairman.

Dr Taylor said: "It is very, very sad that the committee was in effect hijacked.

"I am also disappointed at this unjustified personal attack on a group of witnesses such as UCL. This should have been about the whole process not just one group. However, it follows the same line as the Government.

"UCL is the most vocal and puts up the most reasoned arguments against the PFI system but as no-one has answers to its arguments, all they can do is criticise.

"I think it is a huge mistake to try and rubbish this scientific department."

UCL, headed by Prof Alyson Pollock, wrote the controversial report Deficits Before Patients two years ago in which it claimed the new Worcester hospital would not be able to cope with the level of acute admissions seen in the catchment area in 1998.

The health select committee's analysis of PFI cleared the policy of cutting beds but criticised the lack of robust costings.

However, Dr Taylor stressed it had only looked at four hospitals trusts and not the Worcestershire model.

He said: "The trust here has in effect admitted it was wrong to cut beds by the fact it has put in place another 112."