AN MP has hit out at Tory criticism of his attendance record at council meetings as "childish".

Virendra Sharma, the Labour MP for Ealing Southall, has to attend a council meeting by April 9 or face being expelled from the council, as he has not been to a single meeting in nearly six months.

However the newest MP in Britain says he will attend a meeting within the next ten days.

He told the Ealing Times: "I think it's a most childish approach on their part, The way they are behaving indicates they clearly have nothing better to do.

"I'm a responsible councillor and responsible elected member. I do not need lessons from these unprincipled people. I will do whatever I need to do under the law.

"Why are they so concerned about me? Why do they not get their own house in order and make their defectors stand down and seek re-election."

Mr Sharma also defended his attendance record saying since his last brief appearance in the council chamber on October 9 he had been in parliamentary meetings.

He said: "I was attending parliamentary meetings during those meetings. I am a responsible councillor and I have been meeting constituents on a regular basis and doing my duty.

"I will be attending a meeting in the next few days to make sure I keep my place on the council."