WAKEFIELD MP David Hinchliffe has voiced angry criticism about the way post office closures have been handled.

Mr Hinchliffe, whose constituency covers Kirkburton and Denby Dale, raised the issue in Parliament and attacked the Government.

He had earlier refused to back a Government motion supporting the closures by Post Office Ltd.

Now he has called for the Government to demand Post Office Ltd review its decisions on closures.

And he said he may seek a judicial review of all the closure decisions made by Post Office Ltd.

He said: "I fully accepted the need to modernise the network.

"However, I have come to the gradual soul-destroying realisation that I have been most monumentally had.

"What is termed urban reinvention means putting the boot into some of my most vulnerable constituents."

Mr Hinchliffe claims Stephen Timms, the Government minister for energy, e-commerce and postal services, could stop some closures because the Government is a major shareholder in Post Office Ltd.

Mr Hinchliffe said: "If the Minister intends to tell me it is a matter for the Post Office I say to him that simply will not wash.

"I am not prepared to accept that from my party. The Minister can and should do something."

Post Office Ltd plans 3,000 post office closures - including more than 15 around Huddersfield - because of declining profits.

But Mr Hinchliffe claims the firm has ignored the needs of post office users.

He said incorrect information was used by Post Office Ltd and watchdog Postwatch, which reviewed the firm's proposals for closures.

Mr Hinchliffe said urban areas had been described as rural and some areas were said to be populated by young families when most residents were elderly.