AN UGLY spat between Halesowen and Rowley Regis MP James Morris and the Police and Crime Commissioner David Jamieson over the closure of Halesowen Police Station has escalated.

Councillor Jamieson was seething after seeing a photo of Mr Morris outside his office with a petition calling for the police station to be saved. The commissioner is furious the MP did not ask for a meeting whilst at the Birmingham office whereas Mr Morris has accused the PCC for "trivialising" the views of Halesowen people.

He said: "I was perplexed to hear that James Morris had given in a petition to one of my staff and even more perplexed that he didn’t ask to meet myself.

"I would have been more than happy to welcome him into my office and discuss the matter.

"Perhaps if James Morris was a little more experienced he may have actually requested a meeting instead of just posing outside my office and wandering off."

He added: "Mr Morris still has not requested a meeting with me about the proposed closure of Halesowen Police Station.

"We have met and exchanged correspondence over different matters, but not about the proposed closure of the station.

"I’d be slightly disappointed if Mr Morris was my MP, he is able to pull together a petition, but unable to campaign for fairer funding for West Midlands Police in parliament and unable to request a meeting with me about an important issue to his constituents."

He added: "My office is open anytime; James Morris just simply needs to contact me."

Mr Morris hit back at the commissioner and demanded Halesowen Police Station remain open.

He said: "Yet again the PCC and Labour Party choose personal attacks, rather than trying to justify their cuts on West Midlands Police.

"Let us not forget that West Midlands Police has £179m in reserves, underspent last year by £7m and are currently spending over £30m on refurbishing their plush Birmingham city centre offices."

He added: "I have worked with local councillors, residents and businesses in trying to protect Halesowen Police Station as I recognise the contribution it makes to our town.

"I understand that the Chamber of Trade is planning on meeting the PCC to put the case from concerned residents and businesses."

He added: "The Labour PCC is making decisions based purely on politics before his attempt at re-election next year.

"His comments seek to trivialise the strength of feeling locally which was reflected in all those across Halesowen who signed the petition."