A LEADING politician in the region has been criticised for leaving a meeting attended by a government minister.

George Dunning, Labour leader of Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council, left a meeting of the Tees Valley Local Enterprise Partnership early - even though Vince Cable, the Business Secretary was present.

Ian Swales, Liberal Democrat MP for Redcar, also attended and tweeted that he “couldn’t believe” Coun. Dunning had left.

The MP later told The Northern Echo: “For an area like ours, attracting business and jobs should always be the number one priority. It’s hard to imagine anything more important than representing the area when cabinet ministers are visiting.”

Coun Dunning explained that he spoke at Monday's  meeting and the council was still represented after he left by its head of finance.

He said that he had to leave for another important meeting to discuss budget cuts and had earlier indicated he would not be able to stay for the whole meeting.

He said: “I’m really disappointed in Ian. He’s the MP for Redcar and he’s making cheap political shots. Obviously he’s trying to save his seat, but this is not the way to do it.”