Essex snubbed by Regional Minister

12.00.00am GMT Thu 21st Feb 2008

The Government's Regional Minister for the East of England has not visited Essex since her appointment seven months ago! But she has made six visits to Suffolk whose population is less than half that of Essex.

Last night Colchester MP Bob Russell tabled a Parliamentary Question requesting that the Minister, Stevenage MP Mrs Barbara Follett, make an official Ministerial visit to Essex - and in particular to come to Colchester - to discuss how the county and the town can be involved in, and benefit from, the 2012 London Olympics.

Mr Russell said: "There has long been a suspicion that the appointment of Regional Ministers was a Government gimmick, and the fact that the Minister for the East of England has not visited the largest of the six counties - whereas, according to a Parliamentary Written Answer, she has made 18 official visits to the other counties - has got to be regarded as a massive snub to Essex."

Liberal Democrat Mr Russell added: "Essex is next to London, and can be reached from Westminster very quickly by road and rail. I am astonished that the Minister should treat Essex with such contempt. Hopefully my Parliamentary Question will shame her into visiting Essex, and Colchester in particular, without further delay."