LIBERAL Democrats were challenged last night on whether a "deal" had been made with MP Peter Thurnham to switch parties.

Cllr Bob Howarth, Labour leader of Bolton Council, launched a fierce attack on the Bolton North-east MP during a full council meeting.

He said: "I think that the people of Bolton North-east need to know what the deal is which has brought about the most amazing conversion since Biblical times."

He described former Tory Mr Thurnham as "someone who was not a Liberal Tory, he was to the right of Margaret Thatcher and John Major." He said that Mr Thurnham had backed policies such as the poll tax, the sale of council houses and policies which he claimed had led to industries being devastated and unemployment.

"This man supported all of them," Cllr Howarth said.

But Liberal Democrat leader Cllr Mrs Barbara Ronson hit back: "I suppose I should be flattered that anyone thinks we can offer Mr Thurnham a safe seat anywhere."

She later said that he would not be standing as a Liberal Democrat in any of the Bolton seats and that the party's key seats throughout the country already had candidates. Other Labour councillors also hit out at Mr Thurnham's defection.

Cllr Guy Harkin, deputy leader, accused both the MP and the Liberal Democrats of "hypocrisy."

He said: "No-one in this town I have spoken to thinks it is right for the Liberal Democrats to take on someone who is so ideologically opposed to them."

Cllr Brian Iddon attacked Mr Thurnham's record on housing policy and Cllr Peter Johnston said that his actions had contributed towards the public losing respect in politics and politicians.

None of the three Tory councillors in the council chamber spoke in the debate last night.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.