VALE MP Peter Luff has accused Tony Blair of a breach of faith after it was announced that the West Mercia force was to be absorbed into a regional superforce for the West Midlands.

He condemned the decision to ignore the views of local people and go ahead with the merger, claiming it was a "breach of the undertakings given to me by the Prime Minister only three weeks ago."

At Prime Minister's Questions on January 18, Mr Blair responded to a question from Mr Luff, saying: "It is important that we listen to local people and I can assure the honourable gentleman that we will do so.

"Of course, many different things could happen, including forces coming together for certain strategic tasks that they are better able to fulfil on a common, rather than singular, basis.

"I can assure him, however, that we will listen carefully to what people say, including in his constituency."

Mr Luff responded this week: "This is not yet a done deal.

"There is more consultation and parliamentary scrutiny before this wretched and undemocratic decision can be imposed on my constituents against their will.

"I will not stand by and see the finest force in this country - on the government's own measurements - destroyed to further an agenda, not to make policing better, but to create regional government.

"Charles Clarke will not get away with behaving like an unanswerable dictator - he is answerable to the people of my constituency and the rest of the area served by West Mercia."

A statement issued by West Mercia police authority said that following a meeting with the Home Secretary, the four police authorities in the West Midlands would hold further discussions.