Inspector's report 'only thing that counts not critical statement from MPs', says under-fire leader of Northamptonshire County Council

Councillor Heather Smith was responding to a statement released late last night by all seven of Northamptonshire's Conservative MPs which said they had no faith in the Tory administration currently running County Hall.

The MPs - Michael Ellis (Northampton North), Andrew Lewer (Northampton South), Chris Heaton-Harris (Daventry), Andrea Leadsom (South Northamptonshire), Philip Hollobone (Kettering), Peter Bone (Wellingborough) and Tom Pursglove (Corby) - called for the Government to take over the running of the council.

The statement was released in the wake of Friday's announcement that the county council was imposing a Section 114 order which means it cannot approve any new spending, apart from on statutory services.

Replying to media reports of the critical statement by MPs, Councillor Smith said: "So whats new they said this before Christmas."

Before adding, "Inspectors report is the only thing that counts so we must await his report."

BREAKING NEWS: County MPs 'have no faith in leadership of Northamptonshire County Council' and want Government to take over